Thembela Khamango
Thembela Khamango
The state closed its case against Jackey Maarohanye, the controversial director of Ithuteng Trust, in the Protea magistrate's court yesterday.
Maarohanye, 49, Patricia Molaba, 34, Ronnie Nyakale, 34, and Thembi Dladla, 21, are charged with assaulting and kidnapping Sowetan reporter Vusi Ndlovu on February 17.
The state called Shahid Wadvalla, the doctor who examined Ndlovu after the incident.
"Ndlovu had bruises around his left eye and it was blue. He also had another 1cm-long bruise around his right elbow. He complained of a pain in the groin," Wadvalla testified.
As soon as the state closed its case Maarohanye's attorney, Ike Motloung, applied for the discharge of his clients. He argued that the state had presented insufficient evidence to convict the accused.
Motloung said the evidence had failed to prove that Ndlovu had been held against his will. Ndlovu had told the crowd that news editor Willie Bokala would come with proof he was a reporter so that they could release him.
"Ndlovu claims to have been assaulted for about six to seven hours, but he told this court that he had no bruises," said Motloung.
The defence lawyer said the court would never know where the truth lay because Ndlovu had contradicted even the medical evidence presented.
Motloung said Ndlovu was a journalist, but "an actor in his writing", because Ndlovu had testified that he used dramatic effect in his reports.
He quoted an article where Ndlovu described his face as being battered, but he had testified that he had not suffered severe injuries.
The case was postponed to October 8 for judgment.
Doctor testifies reporter bruised after 'Mama Jackey assault'
Thembela Khamango
Thembela Khamango
The state closed its case against Jackey Maarohanye, the controversial director of Ithuteng Trust, in the Protea magistrate's court yesterday.
Maarohanye, 49, Patricia Molaba, 34, Ronnie Nyakale, 34, and Thembi Dladla, 21, are charged with assaulting and kidnapping Sowetan reporter Vusi Ndlovu on February 17.
The state called Shahid Wadvalla, the doctor who examined Ndlovu after the incident.
"Ndlovu had bruises around his left eye and it was blue. He also had another 1cm-long bruise around his right elbow. He complained of a pain in the groin," Wadvalla testified.
As soon as the state closed its case Maarohanye's attorney, Ike Motloung, applied for the discharge of his clients. He argued that the state had presented insufficient evidence to convict the accused.
Motloung said the evidence had failed to prove that Ndlovu had been held against his will. Ndlovu had told the crowd that news editor Willie Bokala would come with proof he was a reporter so that they could release him.
"Ndlovu claims to have been assaulted for about six to seven hours, but he told this court that he had no bruises," said Motloung.
The defence lawyer said the court would never know where the truth lay because Ndlovu had contradicted even the medical evidence presented.
Motloung said Ndlovu was a journalist, but "an actor in his writing", because Ndlovu had testified that he used dramatic effect in his reports.
He quoted an article where Ndlovu described his face as being battered, but he had testified that he had not suffered severe injuries.
The case was postponed to October 8 for judgment.