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McBride 'used k-word'
07/08/2007 08:03 - (SA)
Philip de Bruin, Beeld
Johannesburg - Ekurhuleni Metro police chief Robert McBride, "in the presence of metro police officers and members of the public" told six members of the South African Police Service that "he could kill them all with one shot by shooting at gas cylinders" near them.
He also used the k-word in referring to black policemen, and used the word "baboons".
These allegations are contained in a letter of demand served on the Ekurhuleni council offices on Monday by Alan Knight of Alan Knight attorneys in Benoni, the lawyer for the six Boksburg police officers.
The six SAPS members (no ranks are mentioned in the letter) are Zane Johnson, Michael Cilliers, David Langa, William Mahlangu, Samson Sibeko and Siphiwe Gumede.
Slander
The letter notes that they were investigating a complaint at a petrol station in Rondebult Road, Boksburg on July 4. McBride arrived later.
"Certain events" then took place which according to the letter of demand led to McBride in the presence of the police officers, metro police officers and members of the public making the following remarks about the six police officers:
That they were all "useless"
That all six were "a disgrace to the SAPS"
That all of them were "pieces of shit"
That Johnson was "a drunk" and "a criminal who stole copper cables while using a police vehicle".
That Sibeko was "a useless baboon and a kaffir"
and that Gumede was "a baboon and a kaffir".
"The above utterances were aimed at slandering the police officers," said Knight's letter of demand.
The letter adds that McBride also threatened to assault the six by ordering the metro police officers "to shoot the six policemen if they placed their hands near their weapons."
According to the letter of demand he said "he could kill all six policemen with a single shot by firing at gas cylinders that were standing near them."
The six feared for their lives and had suffered emotional stress as a result of these remarks.
Knight is claiming R150 000 on behalf of each of the six policemen (R900 000 in total, thus) within 30 days.
If this does not happen, steps will be taken to issue a subpoena.
McBride declined to comment on Monday afternoon.
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