Pretoria – Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride made his second appearance at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday for allegedly assaulting his teenage daughter.
The case was postponed to October 24 to give the State more time to investigate the matter.
McBride has been charged with child abuse, alternatively assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm. He was granted bail of R10 000 in August.
His defence lawyer, Jaco Hamman, attempted to bring an application asking the court to make a final postponement citing that the matter had been regularly delayed.
The magistrate turned down the application and said it was premature. He said the delays would be probed at McBride's next court appearance.
State prosecutor Tefo Mokgoatsane, attributed the delays to outstanding video footage they are still trying to obtain.
The Pretoria Magistrate's Court where Ipid boss Robert McBride faces a charge of child abuse
Photo / Brenda Masilela
The magistrate emphasised McBride's bail condition that forbids him from making contact with any of the witnesses or contacting them through a third party.
After his brief appearance, Mcbride was whisked away from the media and used a different exit.
At his last court appearance in August, McBride did not comment on the allegations, but said he wanted the trial to start so he could clear his name.
He denied that he assaulted his daughter on August 19. In a statement released immediately after the incident, he claimed he had merely admonished her.
"I admit that I admonished one of my daughters, whom I love very much," said McBride.
"That was my reason for admonishing her. My daughter was seated directly behind me in the car, it would have been impossible for me to drive and “assault” and “throttle” her at the same time. I deny that I assaulted her and that she had any injuries when I left her at home," he said.
Also in his defence, Mcbride said he was not surprised by the allegations as they were probably being used by his detractors to settle scores after they had previously failed to remove him as the Ipid head.
But the teen told the media that the alleged assault was not an isolated incident. She claimed it “happened all the time”.
Ipid is responsible for investigating the police and has handled a number of high profile cases involving corrupt police officers.
One such case involves former acting police national commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, who was removed from his position by Police Minister Fikile Mbalula because of mounting allegations of corruption against him.
McBride has insinuated that the investigation against Phahlane may be the reason behind the case being opened against him.
"The Ipid, which I lead, has uncovered evidence linking the former Acting National Commissioner Kgomotso Phahlane, to a service provider who bought vehicles for at least one of Phahlane's relatives. Phahlane's relative was confronted by the investigators just over a week ago," said McBride at the time.