/ 18 December 2007

McBride’s doctor hands himself over to police

The doctor who is alleged to have falsified a medical certificate for Ekurhuleni police chief Robert McBride was granted bail on Tuesday, after handing himself over to the investigating officer in the case, police said.

Ekurhuleni police spokesperson Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini said Dr Joseph Moratioa gave himself up and appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court.

Dlamini said, ”He was granted R1 000 bail and the case was postponed to February 7.”

”I am not sure if he has posted bail as yet,” he said.

A warrant of arrest was issued for Moratioa last week, after he failed to appear in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court to answer charges of fraud and of defeating the ends of justice.

It is alleged that Moratioa gave McBride a false medical certificate in support of McBride’s version of the events that led to his car crash near Centurion last December, after he had attended a year-end party.

McBride is expected to appear in court on March 17 2008. He is currently on paid leave from his job. – Sapa