McBride 'released' from his contract

Ekurhuleni metro police chief Robert McBride has been fired, news reports said on Friday.

The decision was taken at a council meeting on Thursday, more than two months before his contract expires and with his drunken driving trial still under way, reported the Cape Times.

“We have decided to release the chief of police from his contract,” mayoral spokesperson Prince Hamnca was quoted as saying.

Reports earlier this month indicated that he had returned to work, a direct violation of the special leave he had been put on pending the outcome of his drunken-driving trial.

The Citizen newspaper, quoting “trusted sources”, said the decision to dismiss McBride was made under the leadership of the new mayor, Ntombi Mekgwe, who announced this to an extraordinary session of council.

McBride’s drunken-driving trial was this week postponed to October 16. - Sapa