PROCEEDINGS were abruptly halted at the rape trial of Brickz, the kwaito singer, yesterday at the Roodepoort Magistrate's Court when the underage victim broke down during her testimony in-camera.

The famed hitmaker, whose real name is Sipho Ndlovu, looked reserved as he conversed with associates including kwaito singer Mapaputsi, before the hearing began.

Those in the the courtroom were asked to leave by Magistrate John Baloyi, who then heard in-camera testimony from the first witness and accuser, who was a minor at the time of the alleged incident in 2013.

Just 15 minutes into her testimony, she was overcome by emotion and was whisked out of the room by court officials.

After the media and the public were allowed back into the courtroom, the second witness - Brickz's wife Nqobile Gamedi - who opened the case, was called to take the stand.

She briefly stood to hear the magistrate say the case was postponed because of the emotional state of the first witness and because she had an exam to write.

Gamedi then left. Dumisani Mabunda, Brickz's lawyer, declined to comment. The case was postponed to June 3 and 4.

mashotol@sowetan.co.za