Ipid boss Robert McBride charged with assault, granted bail

Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) boss Robert McBride appeared briefly at the Pretoria Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday on a charge of contravening provisions of the Children’s Act.

McBride’s 15-year-old daughter claims he beat her and strangled her. He was granted R10 000 bail with the condition that he does not contact any witnesses.

The police watchdog organisation said McBride wanted the trial to start as soon as possible “so that he can clear his name”.

“As this matter is already in the courts, McBride had been advised not to comment further,” Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini said in a statement.

In a statement on Saturday, McBride denied the abuse allegations against him, and said he was merely admonishing his daughter.

“I have decided to comment, as I have noticed that other people, including those investigated by Ipid, have inveighed themselves into my family matters and have no concern for the wellbeing of my children – only for their own scores to settle with me, which is why the story has seemed newsworthy even though the press rules forbid the identification of children,” he said.

However, his daughter maintains she was abused by her father.

“He did hit me. I maintain that. He was punching me while the car was moving, and we were stationary while he was strangling me,” the teen said at the weekend.

“His reason for ‘admonishing’ me was that he needed to wake up early. The discussion we were having wasn’t anything to do with my marks, and he uses the word ‘admonishing’, but I am saying he hit me. That’s the truth, and I maintain that.”

The case was postponed to October 2 for further investigation by police.

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