Confusion over SA police chief's suspension

Robert McBride, has been given 'time off' until his criminal charges were resolved

Duma Nkosi, the Ekurhuleni mayor, won't say whether Robert McBride, the the Ekurhuleni metro police chief, is suspended or on leave - with or without pay. Instead he says he's simply given him time off for now.

McBride was charged by the National Prosecutions Authority yesterday, after last December's drunken driving incident.

Today, Nkosi said he was giving McBride time off, after his nasty highway accident last December. This followed a damning charge sheet against Robert McBride, detailing alleged drunk driving and fraud charges as well as defeating the ends of justice. McBride has been accused of driving drunk that evening by three of his subordinates.

Mayor struggles to explain
Today the mayor struggled to explain McBride's leave of absence. "The chief of police must not be at work...In the nature of the relationship we have with him, we still have to look at the information to determine if that affects his contract with us."

McBride says: "I will reconcile myself with and accept the outcome of any due legal process, whatever it is. The same as I accept the decision of my principles to allow me to be absent from work. "

Still, there are various other complaints, including assault and racism against McBride. Nkosi says the first five complaints were lodged last June and are still being probed. He says they're also investigating allegations by the Democratic Alliance's John Moody.

In the interim, Mkhabela Sibeko, the deputy city manager, will act in McBride's place.