The trial has been scheduled to resume on 6 November, continuing to 8 November.

Former Ekurhuleni metro policeman Itumelome Koko, testifying for the State, told the court he saw Degenaar gripping a man by his throat at the scene of an accident involving ex-metro police chief Robert McBride.

He said Degenaar held the man by his throat after somebody removed the car keys from the VW Golf 5 Koko was driving.

Koko had stopped at an accident scene when he realised the car that had crashed belonged to McBride.

He told the court McBride insisted on driving himself home from a year-end function at Hartbeespoort Dam on the night he crashed.

He said McBride refused to be driven home after he had consumed a lot of alcohol.

"I was concerned about the state of the chief," Koko told the court.

Degenaar had pleaded not guilty to both charges of assault and defeating the ends of justice.

Koko will be cross-examined by the defence when the trial resumes in November.

McBride had an accident in Pretoria on 21 December, 2006, after a party at the dam.

Sapa

The iafrica.com debate Do protests marked by violence and vandalism have a place in a democratic South Africa?

Profile: Sandile Ngcobo We take a look at the man that Jacob Zuma has chosen to head up the judiciary: Sandile Ngcobo.

Quirky & Bizarre Do you need a laugh? Then check out our offbeat stories from around the world...