The Ekurhuleni branches of the Democratic Alliance and the African National Congress are at loggerheads over ANC stalwart Robert McBride's appointment as chief of the Ekurhuleni metro police.

His appointment was announced on Thursday, drawing immediate criticism.

Yesterday the DA accused the local ANC of blatant and willful disregard of the law because it had refused to review the appointment.

DA chief whip in the metro, Malcolm Lennox, said: "Council is compelled by law to review a decision, following a request by more than 25% of councillors serving in the metro".

Lennox said this meant that the ANC was clearly indifferent to law and order, "but it is only one of many irregularities that have cropped up with regard to this appointment".

Lennox said the DA had been inundated with calls from irate residents from all sectors of the community since McBride's appointment had become public knowledge.

"People are concerned about his reputation following the allegations of gun-running, operating as a National Intelligence Agent and a spell in a Maputo jail," he said.

These allegations against McBride were never proved, or disproved.

Mayoral spokesperson Prince Hamca defended the appointment.

The council has an ANC majority.

"We knew the DA would respond in this manner but our view is that Robert has the capacity to take the metro police forward and in our view that his experience and understanding of law enforcement matters will help in formulating and implementing our crime prevention strategy".

The Ekurhuleni ANC congratulated McBride, saying he was "one of the movement's seasoned cadres and freedom fighters and his appointment would go a long way in integrating and transforming the metro police department". ANC Youth League spokesperson Khulekani Ntshangase also congratulated McBride and said the DA's opposition had nothing to do with McBride's past, and everything to do with the colour of his skin.

"We are not surprised by yet another racist and counter-revolutionary move by this gang of reactionaries who have no interest in the forward movement of the country," Ntshangase said. – Sapa.