Minister points finger at prosecutor

INTERNATIONAL Relations and Corporation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane yesterday caused a stir when she stood up and raised her voice in court.

She was accusing the court of failing to inform her, or at least her office, that the trial of three men accused of vandalising the tombstone of her late husband Norman Mashabane was on.

Nkoana-Mashabane, who arrived on the third day of the trial at the Phalaborwa circuit of the Pretoria high court, said she only got to know about the trial through the media.

She stunned the court gallery when she stood up shortly before proceedings, and pointed her finger at prosecutor Advocate Shaun Abrahams, accusing him of failing to inform her about the date of the trial.

The minister was accompanied by her husband's younger brother.

"This is my husband's grave that has been violated and I deserve to be informed of any court processes relating to the matter," she charged.

Abrahams said he had informed the Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe, about the start of the trial and that he was under the impression the message had been relayed to her.