Goodman guard case postponed

2012-09-07 17:05

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Johannesburg - The assault case against Goodman Gallery security guard Paul Molesiwa was postponed to September 27 in the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court on Friday.

This was to allow more time for a duplicate of video footage of the alleged assault to be made and given to Molesiwa's lawyer.

Molesiwa was accused of assaulting Louis Mabokela at the gallery on May 22 after Mabokela allegedly defaced "The Spear" painting depicting President Jacob Zuma with exposed genitals.

Molesiwa, from the Core Tactical private security company, was filmed by an e.tv cameraman trying to restrain Mabokela, flipping him to the ground in the process.

It was not said in court whether the footage referred to was e.tv's or gallery cctv footage.

After a day of high drama in May, Mabokela and Barend la Grange, also filmed allegedly defacing the painting, were charged with malicious damage to property.

Another man, George Moyo, was arrested for spray painting the letters "res" [respect] on the gallery's exterior wall.
The charges against Moyo have been withdrawn.

On Tuesday Mabokela and La Grange appeared in the same court and were given a chance to make representations to the director of public prosecutions and the Goodman Gallery on why the charges should be dropped. The outcome of this would be given at their next appearance on October 2.

Molesiwa was accompanied by an equally burly colleague at Friday's appearance.

After a swift stint in the dock for the postponement to be confirmed, he left. He had been instructed to not speak to the media so he did not comment.

- SAPA