The Ekurhuleni metro said on Friday it did not understand the basis of the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) call for the suspension of its police chief, Robert McBride, and believed any allegations against him should be tested first.
”We don’t understand the basis of that call and how they came to that conclusion,” said mayoral spokesperson Prince Hamnca.
”These are allegations and they remain allegations until they are tested. People should respect the process. It is in the hands of the police and we will cooperate with whatever process [there is],” he said.
The DA said McBride should be suspended if the metro’s police were to have any credibility.
”If he is not suspended then the perception will exist that any investigation of his activities will be tainted as he will be able to use his official position to intimidate witnesses or tamper with evidence against him,” said the party’s safety and security spokesperson, John Moodey.
Three suspended former colleagues of McBride plan to seek a restraining order against him after their arrest during an altercation over the legality of tinted windows. McBride went to the scene after a call for back-up.
They had been on the scene of an accident last year in which McBride was allegedly drunk, a charge he has denied. They have subsequently sent a report to the National Prosecuting Authority on the accident. The authority is yet to decide whether to proceed with a charge of reckless driving.
Police officers on the scene of Thursday’s confrontation also laid charges of intimidation against the Ekurhuleni metro police department afterwards.
The mayor, Duma Nkosi, has previously said that McBride is innocent until proved guilty ”by credible institutions created by our democracy”.
The three officers’ lawyer, Saleem Ebrahim, said he would apply for the restraining order against the entire department and McBride on Monday out of fear for his clients’ safety. — Sapa