The Ekurhuleni municipality has hired a firm of attorneys to recoup R7.8 million it paid for former metro police chief Robert McBride's legal fees, according to a report.
The Saturday Star newspaper reported that city spokesman Samuel Modiba could not say who the money would be recouped from, but that an investigation which would reveal this, was underway.
Modiba said the council was authorised to provide legal assistance to employees in accordance with certain Acts but it was limited to R10 000.
In 2009, the municipality accused McBride's attorneys of overcharging them.
The municipality then hired a legal costs consultant to examine the account. The consultant found the billing was "irregular" and the council was overcharged.
Before this, the Independent Ratepayers Association (Irasa) served summons on 100 Ekurhuleni councillors who had voted in favour of paying McBride's legal bills.
At the time, Izak Berg, Irasa chairman said the legal action would see McBride pay the entire bill whether he was found guilty or not.
If his assets did not cover this, the city manager would be liable and if the city manager's personal assets did not cover the debt, the 100 councillors who approved the release of the money would have to pay for it, the publication reported.
Last week, McBride won his appeal against a conviction of drunk driving and attempting to obstruct justice.
In 2011, McBride was sentenced to a five-year prison term by the Pretoria Magistrate's Court.
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