Courts & Legal
Robert McBride on police corruption and identity after meeting Fadiel Adams
A meeting that raised eyebrows in Parliament
When Robert McBride confirmed in Parliament that he had met Fadiel Adams, the reaction was immediate. For some, it was an unexpected crossing of political lines. For others, it was a reminder that South Africa’s fight against police corruption has a way of bringing unlikely people together.
Speaking during an Ad Hoc Committee probing serious allegations around senior police leadership, McBride made it clear that the meeting was neither secretive nor strategic. He said he liked Adams and described him as someone genuinely committed to rooting out corruption, even if their politics did not align.
Why the conversation mattered
McBride explained that he had wanted to meet Adams after watching his actions rather than his rhetoric. Adams had already triggered an investigation by the Investigative Directorate Against Corruption into senior figures within Crime Intelligence after raising concerns about irregularities. Those concerns were first taken to national police commissioner Fannie Masemola and then formalised through an affidavit.
For McBride, that determination stood out. He told MPs that if someone was serious about fighting corruption, political differences became secondary. That stance drew criticism from some of his own allies, but McBride appeared unfazed, stressing that corruption did not respect party lines and neither should accountability.
Identity, belonging, and being African
Beyond policing, the two men also spoke about identity. McBride said the discussion touched on how people of mixed race, particularly those with Khoi heritage, often feel pushed to the margins. His view was firm. He believes that South Africans of mixed descent should continue to see themselves as Africans, not as a smaller group on the edges of society.
He described Adams’ perspective as one shaped by lived experience. According to McBride, Adams believes mixed-race communities have been sidelined from multiple directions and need to organise and advocate for themselves more assertively. The conversation, McBride said, was rooted in concern about exclusion and what happens when people stop believing democracy speaks for them.
Life in forgotten communities
In a moment that resonated with many watching, McBride reflected on how MPs like Adams often come from communities battered by violence, drugs, and gang activity. These are townships, he said, that feel abandoned and unheard. When people feel uncared for, they disengage from democratic processes, which only deepens their marginalisation.
This point struck a chord on social media, where some users praised McBride for acknowledging realities many South Africans live with daily. Others questioned whether such cross-party engagements blurred accountability. The debate itself highlighted how emotionally charged issues of policing and identity remain.
Clearing the air on leaked information
McBride was also questioned about classified Crime Intelligence information that Adams had made public. Some MPs wanted to know whether McBride had played any role in sharing those details. His response was unequivocal. He said he had no knowledge of the information, had not discussed it with Adams, and had not been involved in its release in any way.
By distancing himself from the leaks, McBride reinforced his position that the meeting was about principles rather than tactics. He said he listened when people raised valid points and refused to de-Africanise himself or others in the process.
A broader lesson in uncomfortable cooperation
The exchange offered a glimpse into a South Africa where the fight against corruption sometimes requires uncomfortable cooperation. McBride’s testimony suggested that progress may depend less on political purity and more on shared commitments, especially in a country still wrestling with inequality, identity, and trust in its institutions.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: EWN
