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 Robert McBride fired as Metro police chief
    September 26 2008 at 06:41AM Get IOL on your
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By Alex Eliseev

Robert McBride has been sacked.

As of today (Friday), the Ekurhuleni metro police chief has been relieved of his duties - more than two months before his contract expires and without his drunk driving trial having reached its conclusion.

The decision was taken on Thursday at a council meeting headed by the municipality's new mayor, Ntombi Mekgwe.

The news comes amid a fresh scandal over McBride defying his special leave - imposed in the wake of his being criminally charged - by returning to work.

His trial has been dragging on for six months, while almost two years have passed since he crashed his state-owned vehicle after a year-end function with his officers. McBride has denied all charges.
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Mekgwe's office on Thursday night confirmed the termination of McBride's contract, which was due to end on November 30.

The mayor's spokesperson, Prince Hamnca, said: "We have decided to release the chief of police from his contract."

When asked for comment, it was found that McBride had not yet been officially informed of the decision.

"No comment," was his response.

McBride will be paid out for his full contract.

It was also agreed that legal fees from his existing cases - those that arose while he was chief of police - would continue to be paid out of the council's coffers. Any new cases will be for him to fund.

City manager Patrick Flusk was tasked with delivering the news.

An opposition councillor, who attended the decision-making session, said 156 members were present - out of a total of 175, most of them ANC members. There was apparently disagreement over McBride's payout and the costs of his legal fees.

  • This article was originally published on page 6 of Cape Times on September 26, 2008

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Showing page 1 of 4 comment pages, 36 total comments
96 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
Robert is fired. Now we need to ensure there are no dubble standards and that the same wip is used for punishment all over. Juast take a deep look into the countries hight flyers. they all have something to hide. Zuma is the only mad with intergrity and is only a victim in all of this. Look at him, he is a real leader.

Cut the crap and let my Jacob Zuma lead this country for he can stand up proud and face his enemies.
96 Weeks ago Jonn wrote :
If one considers the dastardly deeds of one Winnie Mandela, alleged murderess of Stompie and convicted fraudster, who is now high up in the ANC NEC and will probably be appointed to parliament next, then McBride’s reign may be far from over. Remember almost 35% of the current ANC NEC are criminals or alleged criminals.

How many RDP houses could have been built with the R 11 million which McBride and the R 20 million which Zuma wasted on legal fees? 2 066, to be exact.

And how many RDP houses could have been build with the R 25 billion allegedly wasted due to corruption and incompetence in government, you work it out.
96 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
Corruption is rife and the ANC condones it by not taking any action. So, this particular move is refreshing. They should also target all forms of corruption and should start with Parliament with the Travelgate issues. Our country needs to see that action is taking place and those responsible paying the price. They should not even be getting any goodbye monies...
96 Weeks ago Airwolf wrote :
It finally looks as if the purge is starting. Operation "Get rid of the Trash" He still gets paid out until the end of his contract, still got full salary while suspended ..11 million Rands of tax payers money spent so far on his shambolic trial that will just not come to an end. Will he be made to pay that back should he be found guilty?? Its a thundering disgrace that a drink driving charge should be allowed to accumulate that kind of cost. Those hand wringing lawyers must thrilled ...us citizens footing the bill have no say. Bye Bob, please don't pop up anywhere else now.
96 Weeks ago Anonymous wrote :
It is utterly disgusting and wholly unforgivable that taxpayers money could be squandered by employing a criminal such as McBride as a Police Chief. What purpose did that serve? A public purpose and in whose interest? His appointment must haunt the ANC forever. As for what McBride should get? There is nothing as effective as one's own medicine.
96 Weeks ago Jeffrey wrote :
To purge a nation from the vilest activities that brings its morals and standards to its lowest, is much needed in raising again that same nation to fame and glory. To start at the gate keepers or leaders is the right process. The ANC has done us proud, Health and Safety, the right places to start. I hope that Education is next.
96 Weeks ago Peter T wrote :
Copper: Sad reality is, every war has casualties and I wont judged McBride on bombings. My only problem is abuse of power in his current position and arrogance in the face of his wrong doing. Duma Nkosi seemed to be protecting him as it was trend in the ANC during Mbeki leadership (does a name Jackie Selebi ring a bell) but that time is over now. So for those who are suspicious of the ANC NEC's move to recall Mbeki, know that this is the beginnig of accountability. Trust me, Selebi is next, so is Public Office bearers mking headlines for the wrong reasons.
96 Weeks ago Logic prevails... wrote :
Finally, Robert McIdiot has left the building. It has taken them long enough to see through him, hope he never returns to any public office.
96 Weeks ago Ingamula wrote :
Hell, this is good newes. Bad rubbish must be dumped. At least the new Mayor seems to be fed up too. Well done.
96 Weeks ago Peter T wrote :
Fed Up, it a policy that all Office-bearers Legal Fees will be paid by us tax-payers as long as they occupy an Office. Its unfair but there are too many unfair things in this world so we just have to live with it. How about spend tens of millions of our taxes to persue a person alledged to have recieved 4.5mil in bribery?
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