×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

policeORDERED OFF the SCENE

WITNESS: Paulina Mashilela outside court yesterday after testifying against Judge Nkola Motata, inset. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 15/09/2008. © Sowetan.
WITNESS: Paulina Mashilela outside court yesterday after testifying against Judge Nkola Motata, inset. Pic. Vathiswa Ruselo. 15/09/2008. © Sowetan.

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Police officers at the scene of Judge Nkola Motata's crash were ordered through radio by an unknown person not to interfere nor arrest the judge.

Metro policewoman Paulina Mashilela told the Johannesburg magistrate's court yesterday that she was the first to arrive at the scene. She was accompanied by her colleague Frieda Ramafemo.

"A police van arrived shortly thereafter. They did not assist or ask questions because a message on their car radio told them to leave the problem to Motata and the owner of the property he had crashed into, to sort out," Mashilela said.

She said the men left soon after hearing the message.

"They spent about two minutes at the scene and they drove away," said Mashilela.

Mashilela said it was then left to her and her colleague to arrest the judge.

"He refused. He said he could not be arrested by women. We then radioed for help and our male colleagues arrived," she said.

Motata is on trial for alleged drunken driving and defeating the ends of justice.

He allegedly reversed his vehicle into the wall of Richard Baird's Hurlingham, Johannesburg, home in January last year.

"I thought he had consumed alcohol because he was talking too much. But I did not smell any alcohol from his breath," Mashilela said.

She said Motata did not resist arrest.

"We arrested him because Baird forced us to as he said he (Motata) smelt of alcohol."

She said they took Motata to Hillbrow police station, but while on their way to the cells they were told the area of jurisdiction for the case was Randburg.

The trial was postponed to October 13.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.