Chaos erupted at the Molopo Magistrate's Court in Mmabatho yesterday when a Sowetan photographer was attacked.
Photojournalist Tiro Ramatlhatse had been taking pictures of a family accused of stealing R18-million from the North West University (NWU).
The family's supporters, believed to be disgraced former NWU accountant Bradley Freeman's relatives, were angry that Ramatlhatse was photographing Freeman and his parents, Gert Freeman, 51, and Judick Freeman, 54, while standing at the dock inside court B yesterday.
After magistrate Kele Kgosiethata adjourned the case, the group sitting at the public gallery, climbed down to the foyer where Ramatlhatse was standing and attacked him.
"Ons gaan jou moer, gee hierdie kamera, ons gaan jou dik moer (we're going to hit you badly, bring that camera here)," the group shouted.
They grabbed his camera and hit him and threw him against the security checkpoint machine.
Others took pictures and videos with their cellphones.
All of this happened inside the court corridors.
A security guard came to his rescue when he ordered the group out of the court.
A police officer had to rescue Ramatlhatse by taking him out using the court's back doors because the group was waiting just outside , swearing that they were going to continue assaulting him .
The incident happened while the three accused were watching and smiling. Ramatlhatse has opened a case of assault.
Before the incident, Prosecutor Advocate Wessel van Biljon from specialised commercial crime unit asked the court to postpone the case to April 25 to allow the state to make further remarks on the finalisation of the investigation on the Freemans' fraud and money laundering case.
They face 39 counts of fraud and money laundering amounting to R17.8 million.
They were charged in October last year and three of their properties and five luxury cars seized.
According to the National Prosecution Authority, Freeman's parents were implicated because the money that their son had allegedly stolen from the institution's coffers was deposited into their accounts and later used.
NWU spokesman Koos Degenaar said Freeman, who worked for the university for seven years, was called in for a disciplinary hearing two years ago after it was realised that there was money missing from the institution's account.
"An audit was conducted and it was found that there was some money that was paid into the wrong accounts and all leads pointed at Freeman," he said
Bail was extended until their next court appearance.
Bradley is out on R20000 bail while his parents, Gert and Judick, were each released on R10000.
tshehleb@sowetan.co.za
Family 'stole R18m in student loans'
Chaos erupted at the Molopo Magistrate's Court in Mmabatho yesterday when a Sowetan photographer was attacked.
Photojournalist Tiro Ramatlhatse had been taking pictures of a family accused of stealing R18-million from the North West University (NWU).
The family's supporters, believed to be disgraced former NWU accountant Bradley Freeman's relatives, were angry that Ramatlhatse was photographing Freeman and his parents, Gert Freeman, 51, and Judick Freeman, 54, while standing at the dock inside court B yesterday.
After magistrate Kele Kgosiethata adjourned the case, the group sitting at the public gallery, climbed down to the foyer where Ramatlhatse was standing and attacked him.
"Ons gaan jou moer, gee hierdie kamera, ons gaan jou dik moer (we're going to hit you badly, bring that camera here)," the group shouted.
They grabbed his camera and hit him and threw him against the security checkpoint machine.
Others took pictures and videos with their cellphones.
All of this happened inside the court corridors.
A security guard came to his rescue when he ordered the group out of the court.
A police officer had to rescue Ramatlhatse by taking him out using the court's back doors because the group was waiting just outside , swearing that they were going to continue assaulting him .
The incident happened while the three accused were watching and smiling. Ramatlhatse has opened a case of assault.
Before the incident, Prosecutor Advocate Wessel van Biljon from specialised commercial crime unit asked the court to postpone the case to April 25 to allow the state to make further remarks on the finalisation of the investigation on the Freemans' fraud and money laundering case.
They face 39 counts of fraud and money laundering amounting to R17.8 million.
They were charged in October last year and three of their properties and five luxury cars seized.
According to the National Prosecution Authority, Freeman's parents were implicated because the money that their son had allegedly stolen from the institution's coffers was deposited into their accounts and later used.
NWU spokesman Koos Degenaar said Freeman, who worked for the university for seven years, was called in for a disciplinary hearing two years ago after it was realised that there was money missing from the institution's account.
"An audit was conducted and it was found that there was some money that was paid into the wrong accounts and all leads pointed at Freeman," he said
Bail was extended until their next court appearance.
Bradley is out on R20000 bail while his parents, Gert and Judick, were each released on R10000.
tshehleb@sowetan.co.za
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