Pretoria - The case against the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) head Robert McBride was yet again postponed at the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
McBride made his second appearance following investigations that he assaulted his daughter. The matter was postponed for further investigations, the same reason given during his first appearance in August.
His attorney, Jaco Hamman, said he did not understand why the matter had to be postponed again.
“The matter was postponed for further investigations in the last appearance; I don’t understand why it had to be postponed again.”
Hamman further asked that the next appearance be considered for final submissions of investigations. But magistrate Ignatius du Preez didn’t grant this.
Du Preez granted the postponement and also reminded McBride of his bail conditions. “The conditions of the release were that you will have no contact, directly or indirectly with witnesses."
“I once again emphasise on indirectly meaning that you are not allowed to send somebody else to go and talk to witnesses and ask them to change their statements or withdraw the charges,” he said.
He further stated that should McBride fail to adhere to the conditions, the prosecution would most likely bring an application for his bail to be cancelled, which would also cause him to forfeit all his money.
McBride took to the dock wearing a navy blue suit and white shirt and stood firm as the magistrate reminded him of his bail conditions.
He had no interest in speaking to the media and used a different exit to dodge reporters and photographers waiting for him outside the court building.
McBride was charged with child abuse and an alternate charge of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was granted a R10 000 bail in August.
The charges followed allegations by his daughter that he beat her up and tried to strangle her. The Ipid head has strongly denied the allegations.
The matter was postponed until October 24.