Sex case: Race at issue?

2003-07-10 08:39

Annelie Muller

Port Elizabeth - "She's a white woman", was the bewildered remark made by Tamsanqa Khoza, 50, security chief of the department of correctional services in court.

He is appearing on seven charges of indecent assault and crimen injuria of three women colleagues - Maryke Vosloo, Debbie Louw and Adegrave; van Heerden in the St Albans prison in 1998 and 1999.

He apparently made the remark after being accused of suggesting to Vosloo that she take off her dress - which was smelling of cat urine - and wait in his office while it was being washed.

Khoza is denying all the charges, dismissing the accusations as lies. "They are conspiring against me. I wasn't very popular amongst some of the staff members, because I was strict about affirmative action and I shook many people out of their comfort zones and replaced them with coloureds and blacks.

He says this is why state witnesses are supporting the "dished-up version" of the three women. Khoza alleges that one of the state witnesses, Marius Lamont, thought that he [Khoza] was a black man in a position only to sign documents.

Khoza said: "It was necessary to tighten the reins". He said he and Vosloo had a volatile relationship. "Maryke didn't expect a black man to be her superior. I'm sorry to say it, but it's true. She doesn't like blacks...she never said it, but I could pick it up from her attitude."

One of the charges against Khoza is that he called Vosloo a racist. He said: "Even though I thought it, I never personally told her."

Vosloo said Khoza had asked her if she touched men during sex therapy. He said he heard that for the first time in court.

"At this age I respect talking about sex, which I discuss only with my wife."

Khoza said his relationship with Van Heerden was good and he couldn't understand why she had laid charges against him.

"I kissed her once when she gave me a gold pen after an overseas visit. She wasn't unwilling," he said.

After Van Heerden showed him how to send sms messsages via cellphone, he sent one to her which said "You beautiful", but Khoza said she was standing right next to him when he sent it to her to thank her for her help.

"Adèle sometimes offered me coffee in her mug. If it was Maryke, she would have smashed the mug against the wall before doing something similar," Khoza said.

The case will continue before Magistrate Josua Richter on Friday.

- Die Burger