Steve gets shir-tea with editor

2008-12-17 09:33

Philip de Bruin

Sun City - Singer Steve Hofmeyr threw tea in the face of YOU/Huisgenoot editor Esmare Weideman before the crowning of Miss South Africa on Monday, in full view of about 60 guests.

Gob-smacked witnesses stared open-mouthed as Hofmeyr took a "pot shot" at Weideman at the Palace breakfast terrace at Sun City on Monday morning.

The breakfast was attended by esteemed guests of the organisers of the Miss South Africa pageant.

Hofmeyr and popular Belgian singer Dana Winner performed during the ceremony, but it isn't known whether Winner saw the incident.

A friend of both Weideman and Hofmeyr, who wanted to remain anonymous to maintain good relations with both in the future, said she had been sitting near Weideman's table and saw what happened.

'Clearly shocked'

"Steve was standing and talking to someone while holding the tea. He then walked away to greet someone else, when he walked past Esmare's table.

"She said something to him, probably to greet him, when he unceremoniously threw the cup of tea in her face. She said absolutely nothing and was clearly shocked.

"Steve left the terrace afterwards to rehearse with Dana for the evening's performance. Esmare left shortly thereafter."

A few security guards stepped forward during the incident, but "there was no drama".

"Steve said to me recently that he holds three journalists responsible for the fact that he will be without a tree and his two sons this Christmas. One of them is Esmare."

No comment

Hofmeyr refused to comment on Tuesday.

Weideman also did not respond to enquiries.

Hofmeyr has been involved in various altercations with journalists in the past.

In 2002 he assaulted the editor of the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees's publication, after an unflattering remark in the paper.

Earlier this year Hofmeyr grabbed a Rapport journalist by the throat at the Deuriemikke music carnival at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

- Beeld