Expert concedes McBride's possible drunkenness

A medical expert has conceded that former Ekurhuleni metro police chief Robert McBride could have been intoxicated during his car accident five years ago.

He said this just a day after he rubbished assertions by state witnesses in this regard.

“It is possible that alcohol could have been the cause of this situation ... all symptoms attributed to hypoglycaemia, could also been attributed to alcohol intoxication,” said Professor Antoine van Gelder, a retired physician and cardiologist.

Most of the witnesses that have testified in the trial have insisted that McBride was drunk, alleging slurred speech, difficulty in walking and that his breath reeked of alcohol.

Witnesses said he drank a whole bottle of whisky, but McBride testified that he didn’t.

Van Gelder also said this was not possible in the short time that McBride spent at the Hartbeespoort Dam Christmas party.

Questioning evidence by a witness
Van Gelder had insisted it was hypoglycaemia, caused by incorrect diabetes medication.

He said the peculiar smell of his breath was caused by ketosis, a result of diabetes.

Prosecutor Petronel Du Plessis’ questions then left Van Gelder pausing to think before answering.

“Everything the accused says on his report you accept, but question evidence by a witness as insufficient?” questioned Du Plessis.

“I put it to you that Dr [Inabanathan] Sagathevan was correct in saying the accused was intoxicated at the night of the accident.”

Sagathevan is a doctor who treated McBride after the 2006 accident on his way from the party.

He is related to one of three police officers turned state witnesses, Stanley Sagathevan.

The case has been dragging on for five years, and has so far reportedly cost the state millions of rands.—Sapa