Crime Intelligence Slush Fund ‘Always Abused’ To Control Politicians And Generals, Says McBride

Former Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) head Robert McBride has told Parliament that the Crime Intelligence slush fund has historically been misused to exert influence over politicians, senior police officials and generals.

McBride said the multi-million-rand secret fund has been used for a range of illicit purposes, from paying off politicians to ensuring certain criminal investigations quietly disappear.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Robert McBride Backs Sibiya’s Credibility, Questions Integrity Of Mkhwanazi, Phahlane And Nkabinde

He was testifying on Wednesday before Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption, where he concluded his evidence.

According to McBride, ongoing battles over the fund are fundamentally about power, with control of the money translating into control over people and institutions.

Crime Intelligence Slush Fund and Political Influence

McBride told the committee that abuse of the fund was not an exception, but the norm.

“The scramble is for control of that – you control people, you control other policemen, you control generals, you control politicians with that.”

He argued that the fund should not be used for purchasing fixed assets such as buildings or properties. Instead, he said it should be limited to protecting sources or establishing what he described as “blind companies”.

Secret Funds, Luxury Hotel Purchase Sparks Outrage

His comments referred to the controversial use of R22.7 million in secret funds to purchase a boutique luxury hotel in Pretoria, a transaction that triggered public and political outrage.

“You also don’t buy buildings because what if your agent gets blown? What are you going to sell the whole building?”

Despite his criticism of systemic abuse, McBride said he had no evidence linking the current head of Crime Intelligence, Dumisani Khumalo, to any misuse of secret funds or any other fund.

---

For More, Follow SurgeZirc SA On Facebook, X,  Instagram and Bluesky