/ 23 November 2007

McBride’s metro cops resign

Two of the three metro cops implicated in Robert McBride's alleged drunk-driving cover-up have resigned, Ekurhuleni metro police said on Friday. Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said Itumeleng Koko and Patrick Johnson resigned earlier this week. It has been reported that the men received indemnity from prosecution by turning state witness against metro chief McBride.

Two of the three metro cops implicated in Robert McBride’s alleged drunk-driving cover-up have resigned, Ekurhuleni metro police said on Friday.

Spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said Itumeleng Koko and Patrick Johnson resigned earlier this week. Mayoral spokesperson Prince Hamnca said: ”One of the reasons, to my understanding, is that they thought they would not get a fair hearing in the disciplinary process taking place.”

Hamnca said the men faced a number of allegations including those relating to fraud and corruption.

”We will be speaking to our internal legal team to get advice on the way forward,” he said.

The third metro police officer, Stanley Sagathevan, had not resigned, Hamnca said.

It has been reported that the men received indemnity from prosecution by turning state witness against metro chief McBride.

McBride faces charges of driving while under the influence of alcohol, fraud and defeating the ends of justice.

The charges relate to the car accident he was involved in near Centurion in December last year.

McBride is expected to appear in court again on March 17 2008.

In September it was reported that police National Commissioner Jackie Selebi allegedly gave instructions for the three to be put under police protection after receiving information from the National Intelligence Agency that their lives were in danger.

This was disclosed in affidavits filed by the suspended three in the Johannesburg High Court as part of their application for a protection order against McBride and 13 other Ekurhuleni metro police department officers.

The Mail & Guardian revealed that the men’s lawyer, Saleem Ebrahim, admitted on video that the three were involved in criminal activities, such as cash-in-transit heists, but obtained indemnity from prosecution for agreeing to testify against McBride in his drunk-driving case. – M&G Online Reporter and Sapa