The Democratic Alliance wants a judicial investigation into Ekurhuleni metro police chief Robert McBride’s motor accident after claims that officers had covered up for him and were now being intimidated.
”We believe the only way to ensure that the truth comes out is to ensure there is an investigation by a neutral party with powers of subpoena,” said DA Gauteng safety and security spokesperson John Moodey.
Moodey said he would ask provincial community safety minister Firoz Cachalia to request the national government to set up a judicial investigation ”without delay”.
On Tuesday, the Star newspaper reported that notices were placed in metro police offices in Bedfordview, Kempton Park and Boksburg banning Chief Superintendent Stanley Segathevan, Superintendent Itumeleng Koko and Chief Superintendent Patrick Johnstone from entering.
It was reported that the men have consulted their lawyers about getting a protection order against McBride.
They also tried to hand in their letters of grievances at their offices, but were denied access.
Moodey said the party felt a growing ”sense of unease” about the way police have handled the investigation.
The trio — who were at the accident scene — had reportedly made statements to the police which contradict McBride’s version of events.
”In return all three officers have been accused of various crimes and misdemeanours and have been forbidden to enter certain metro police offices,” Moodey said, claiming ”a cover-up”.
The Star also reported that Segathevan was being probed for not declaring he had a criminal record, despite the fact that it related to a car accident he caused while on duty in the early 1990s.
The allegations against Johnstone were for lying about his matric certificate.
Other allegations include that the three officers drove stolen cars and used taxpayers’ money to buy tyres.
Ekurhuleni metro police spokesperson Wilfred Kgasago said the three officers were being barred because they had tried to gain unauthorised entry into the police’s head office after hours.
Kgasago said metro police would monitor developments and then comment.
It is alleged that McBride was drunk at the time of the accident in December near Centurion, and that his officers bullied witnesses and covered up for him.
In January, McBride told a media briefing that he was not was not drunk when he crashed his car.
Ekurhuleni mayor Duma Nkosi reinstated him in his post while investigations were under way.
Earlier this month, the National Prosecuting Authority said that McBride would know by the end of the month if he will face a charge of drunken driving. – Sapa