Businessman collapses in court

2010-02-12 18:39

Pretoria - A SA Reserve Bank shareholder collapsed in court while giving testimony about allegedly racist comments made against him by the Bank's former governor Tito Mboweni two years ago.

Businessman Mario Pretorius collapsed on the stand, leading to the postponement of the hearing in the Equality Court to February 19.

Paramedics removed Pretorius on a stretcher.

Outside the courtroom, Mboweni wearing in a navy-blue pinstriped suit and a red tie, stood talking to his legal representatives.

He refused to speak to journalists, who had gathered around him.

"Not today, not ever," he said.

The alleged racist remarks were made at an annual general meeting held on September 19 2008.

Pretorius asked Mboweni to bring the meeting to order, but Mboweni refused.

Pretorius replied: "Shocking".

Mboweni then told Pretorius he should not address him in the manner used by whites when talking to blacks during the apartheid era.

"I shall not permit you to talk to me like whites used to talk to blacks," Mboweni said.

For this, Pretorius is demanding compensation, an apology and for Mboweni to pay legal costs.

He contends that Mboweni's comments amounted to hate speech and that they were unfair and discriminatory.

- SAPA