Ipid’s McBride released on R10 000 bail

Police watchdog says accused will not comment

Head of Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) Robert McBride appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court yesterday on charges related to the contravention of the Children’s Act.

Ipid released a short statement‚ saying he had been released on R10 000 bail.

The case was postponed to October 2.

“Mr McBride would like the trial to start as soon as possible so that he can clear his name. As this matter is already in the courts‚ McBride has been advised not to comment further‚” Ipid spokesman Moses Dlamini said in a statement.

He is accused of assaulting his teenage daughter‚ a claim which he has denied.

At the weekend‚ McBride claimed to have simply “admonished” the young girl for her behaviour.

“Lately‚ I became concerned that her marks at school had dropped substantially and her behaviour was somewhat rebellious. That was my reason for admonishing her‚” McBride said in a statement.

In an interview with the Sunday Times‚ the girl claimed McBride threatened her life after throttling her and punching her in the face.

“He looked directly at me‚ saying that he wasn’t finished with me. He told me he would kill me‚” the 15-year-old was quoted as saying.

“I deny that I assaulted her and that she had any injuries when I left her at home‚” McBride said.