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McBride takes paper to court
23/07/2007 11:22 - (SA)
Johannesburg - Ekurhuleni metro police chief Robert McBride's R3.6m lawsuit against daily newspaper The Citizen will resume in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday, the newspaper said.
The civil lawsuit was "over articles querying his suitability for the position" of metro police chief, according to a report in the newspaper.
"The case concerns mainly editorial comment by acting editor Martin Williams, and in a column by freelancer Andrew Kenny in September and October 2003," the newspaper said.
Acting editor Martin Williams was expected to take the stand.
McBride told Sapa he would try to attend the court case and "might make it today and tomorrow".
Asked on how he felt about the matter, he said: "The courts will decide. We've given our evidence and the respondents have to give their evidence."
On Saturday the police chief was given "time off" from work by Ekurhuleni metro mayor Duma Nkosi.
McBride said he would be attending to private and personal matters that he could not previously attend to due to work pressures.
"...Literally getting my house in order", he said.
In a separate matter, McBride is expected to return to the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday regarding a court order against him on July 11.
McBride and five metro police officers were ordered not to intimidate, harass or threaten three suspended colleagues who allegedly removed McBride from the scene without following procedure.
The order gave counsel for McBride and the other respondents until Tuesday to deliver answering affidavits.
In November, McBride will face charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, defeating the ends of justice and fraud in the Pretoria Regional Court.
McBride also faces alternative charges of reckless or negligent driving, conspiracy and incitement.
The charges relate to an accident in December last year near Centurion in Pretoria.
McBride was granted bail of R1000 on Friday.
On Saturday Ekurhuleni metro mayor Duma Nkosi told a media briefing that deputy city manager Mkhabela Sibeko would act in McBride's position.
McBride told daily newspaper The Times that: "If I am no longer needed, then I will go quietly."
"I have no issue with that. Life goes on, the Ekurhuleni metro will go on."
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