McBride firmly denies O'Sullivan's undue influence over IPID investigations

FORMER Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride yesterday said he never requested anything from forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan.

- MAYIBONGWE MAGHINA

Testifying before the Ad Hoc Committee probing allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, McBride said O'Sullivan always called when he has information.

“Inever sought information from him? he said.

McBride told the Ad Hoc Committee that some of the information O'Sullivan provided was irrelevant to the police watchdog body, however, it gave an insight into understanding syndicates and drug distribution.

“Some of his information used to be useful in our investigations,” he said.

“He did not influence us. No one on this earth can influence me. I always do the right thing,” he said.

Witnesses appearing before the parliamentary inquiry had claimed that O’Sullivan was in control of IPID and conducted some of its investigations. McBride said O'Sullivan was one of the sources of information.

“The fact that he provided information does not translate into controlling IPID.