McBride involved in new row

2007-08-06 09:04

Philip de Bruin

Johannesburg - There's another lawsuit pending against the controversial chief of the Ekurhuleni metro police, Robert McBride.

Six officers - not from the metro police, but from the police service - were scheduled to have a letter of demand served on him on Monday, in which they claim a total of R900 000 from him.

The subpoena followed an incident in the metro police offices in June when the three metro officers were allegedly involved in "a tiff" with McBride.

Matters apparently got out of hand and police were called in to assist, according to reports.

Sued for damages

Six officers arrived at the scene. According to the subpoena they attempted to calm the quarrelling parties.

Beeld, after taking legal advice, could not disclose the details of what happened, but apparently words such as "bastards", "baboons" and "useless" were used.

Instructing attorney Alan Knight of Alan C Knight attorneys, acting for the SAPS officers, confirmed on Sunday that McBride and the metro council were being sued for R150 000 damages by each of the six police officers.

The damages were being claimed for alleged slander and threatened assault.

The allegations of assault relate to a situation that developed when the six officers wanted to remove McBride's official firearm.

"In terms of existing legislation I have to give the metro council 30 days notice of the lawsuit. I will send that (on Monday) to the metro council and the summons will be issued to within 30 days," Knight said.

He said the letter of demand had "nothing to do with racism."

"Four of the police officers are black, one is Coloured and one is white."

McBride said in response on Sunday that he knew nothing about the proposed lawsuit against him.

- Beeld