|
Tsotsi star says 'sorry'
19/04/2007 08:36 - (SA)
Hilda Fourie, Beeld
Johannesburg - "The damage of Presley Chweneyagae being found guilty and the effect this will have on his future in the film industry is far worse than any sentence the court can hand him."
Those were the words of Lawley Shein, Cheweneyagae's attorney, after the star of the Oscar-winning movie, Tsotsi, pleaded guilty on a charge of driver's licence fraud in the Pretoria district court.
Cheweneyagae, 23, from Sunnyside, Pretoria, was sentenced to six months imprisonment or a fine of R5 000.
In his plea explanation he said a man called Ali offered him a driver's licence on September 9 2006.
Cheweneyagae could buy it for R3 000.
"I signed a blank form and gave him several photographs of myself.
"Ali took me to the Centurion licence office three days later, where I underwent an eye test and received a temporary driver's licence.
"Six weeks later I received my driver's licence through the post," Chweneyagae's statement reads.
He admitted that he had no right to a driver's licence as he had not followed the official route.
According to Shein, Chweneyagae only realised that a fraudulent Ivory Coast driver's licence was used to obtain the South African driver's licence when he was arrested earlier this year.
"To be found guilty of fraud will damage his future in the film industry. He will suffer more than other people who are found guilty of the same crime, as his income depends on the number of roles he can get.
"His being found guilty will cause problems for his work overseas," said Shein.
Outside the court, Shein said people were more inclined to get fraudulent driver's licences "as licence offices in Gauteng, and probably in the rest of the country, are in such a state".
Cheweneyagae remained behind bars for a few minutes while his fine was paid.
Outside he was surrounded by the media and supporters.
"I'm a human being and make mistakes," he declared.
"I apologise to the whole South Africa. People must learn from my mistakes.
"Being found guilty will probably negatively influence my work overseas, but I believe in my talent.
"Now I just want to go home," he concluded.
- Beeld
|
South Africa
