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News | National | Courts

McBride evidence stolen from court

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA Nov 03 2008 08:05
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Evidence in former Ekurhuleni police chief Robert McBride's drunk-driving trial was stolen in a break-in at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court at the weekend, reports said on Monday.

Presiding magistrate Peet Johnson told the Star newspaper that notes of issues to raise during the trial were stolen from his office on the fourth floor.

"They knew exactly what they were looking for. I have a lot of notes on the McBride case. However, I believe there are copies of everything -- except, of course, my notes," said Johnson.

Pretoria police spokesperson Captain Agnes Huma confirmed the robbery.

"On Friday night, there was a break-in at the Pretoria Magistrate's Court. There were some documents stolen -- they took only documents -- but what documents is still under investigation," said Huma.

In April this year, a gang of bogus policemen overpowered security guards at the Johannesburg High Court and stole evidence relating to the McBride trial, the Times reported on Monday.

McBride was put on special leave last July after being charged with drunken driving, defeating the ends of justice and fraud after he crashed his metro car in December 2006.

He was axed as police chief in September. McBride is expected to appear in court again on November 21. - Sapa

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This dear SAPS is what you are dealing with when it comes to organised crime, do you really think that having disbanded the Scorpions, you are up to the task. I sincerely doubt it because organised crime is getting the better of police and security forces all over the world. Why do you think you will be a whole lot better than them! South Africa and the ANC has seriously failed the people of South Africa and the price we pay will be incredibly high in time to come. Mark my words!
Andrew Lawrence on November 3, 2008, 3:15 pm
This story reminds me of that old saying that foxes make the best hen house guards. When they pinch the occasional chicken, they always have someone else to blame - nasty roosters or the odd scorpion and on occasion they align themselves with jackals to make the most of their tenures. One may even see it as a self-interested Robin Hood: steals from the rich and the poor... and keeps it, along with any incriminating documentation held by the farmer and farm manager.
Stories are the oldest forms of parable. They are harmless, no names are mentioned and they usually have a moral to make their retelling worthwhile.
Justin Time on November 3, 2008, 4:21 pm
Very strange this... Whatever the evidence is, it must be pretty damning. I wonder if there will ever be a law that states that if evidence is stolen that in itself is a clear indication of guilt and an automatic guilty verdict.

But things often seem to be very murky around this man, don't they... Accusations of gun running, the whole story of the drunk driving and subsequent claims by the other officers...

Then he promises "explosive" revelations.
Rod Baker on November 4, 2008, 11:54 am
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