A JUDGE and a defence lawyer came close to a standoff in the Johannesburg High Court.
Judge Naren Pandya took exception to rape accused Ramulifho Vhuledzani's attorney Vhonani Matshidza's objection to one of prosecutor Nomthetho Ngcingca's questions.
"Would you sit down please," Pandya said as Matshidza stood up to object.
"My Lord, I wanted to clarify something," Matshidza said, and Pandya added: "Well you can do that afterwards."
Pandya continued: "You should stop telling the state prosecutor (Ngcingca) how to ask questions. You are telling her how to ask questions and each time you interrupt.
Pandya then turned to Vhuledzani, who had been sitting casually, and yelled: "Sit up properly!"
On Wednesday Pandya accused Matshidza of coming to Vhuledzani's aid whenever he was struggling with questions.
On a number of occasions he told Vhuledzani to "look at me and not your lawyer", adding: "Your lawyer cannot help you".
This resulted in Matshidza asking for an adjournment and to meet with Pandya in the court chambers for "a comment made by my Lordship".
Matshidza's personal assistant, Thabang Paile, also incurred Pandya's wrath when he was told to leave the courtroom and go put on a jacket.
Vhuledzani told the court under cross-examination that witnesses were "fed" information by investigating officer Solly Maleleka on what to say.
Vhuledzani is facing 43 counts of rape, robbery, attempted murder and extortion. - selebim@sowetan.co.za
Lawyer, accused feel judge's wrath
A JUDGE and a defence lawyer came close to a standoff in the Johannesburg High Court.
Judge Naren Pandya took exception to rape accused Ramulifho Vhuledzani's attorney Vhonani Matshidza's objection to one of prosecutor Nomthetho Ngcingca's questions.
"Would you sit down please," Pandya said as Matshidza stood up to object.
"My Lord, I wanted to clarify something," Matshidza said, and Pandya added: "Well you can do that afterwards."
Pandya continued: "You should stop telling the state prosecutor (Ngcingca) how to ask questions. You are telling her how to ask questions and each time you interrupt.
Pandya then turned to Vhuledzani, who had been sitting casually, and yelled: "Sit up properly!"
On Wednesday Pandya accused Matshidza of coming to Vhuledzani's aid whenever he was struggling with questions.
On a number of occasions he told Vhuledzani to "look at me and not your lawyer", adding: "Your lawyer cannot help you".
This resulted in Matshidza asking for an adjournment and to meet with Pandya in the court chambers for "a comment made by my Lordship".
Matshidza's personal assistant, Thabang Paile, also incurred Pandya's wrath when he was told to leave the courtroom and go put on a jacket.
Vhuledzani told the court under cross-examination that witnesses were "fed" information by investigating officer Solly Maleleka on what to say.
Vhuledzani is facing 43 counts of rape, robbery, attempted murder and extortion. - selebim@sowetan.co.za
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