Embattled police chief to appear in court

Robert McBride, the Ekurhuleni metro police chief, has been served with summons to appear before the Pretoria Magistrate Court tomorrow. SABC News has learnt that charges of reckless driving and defeating the ends of justice will be brought against McBride by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). However, this could not be confirmed with the NPA.

McBride has consistently denied he was drunk on the night of the accident. He was driving near Centurion in an official car. The NPA earlier said it would only take the matter to court if it has the relevant information. Three officers who were on the scene of the accident made statements to the NPA, alleging among others, that McBride was drunk.

It is also alleged McBride was driven from the scene by one of his officers on his instruction. At an earlier press conference, McBride said he was rushed to hospital and suffered head injuries. He said he could remember nothing of the incident.

The three officers, who have made the statements, have since been suspended from their jobs. They have subsequently claimed they have been threatened and intimidated. The Johannesburg High Court earlier this month granted them an interim restraining order against McBride and senior staff. They were ordered not to intimidate, harass or threaten the three. The metro policemen and their families have now gone into hiding. The court order gave McBride until July 24 to deliver answering affidavits.