Activist 'in contempt of court'
2008-09-01 21:34
Johannesburg - Finance Minister Trevor Manuel asked the Cape High Court on Monday to impose a suspended prison sentence on arms deal critic Terry Crawford-Browne, the SABC reported.
Manuel's lawyers contended Crawford-Browne was in contempt of court for contravening an order prohibiting him from making defamatory allegations about Manuel.
Brian Pinkers, for Manuel, told the court Crawford-Browne had defied a court order gagging him from making arms deal corruption claims against the finance minister.
Pinkers said Crawford-Browne had repeatedly ignored the order as he continued to make allegations against Manuel in the media.
Crawford-Browne, representing himself, denied being in contempt of court.
He said Manuel's application to have him jailed for contempt of court was a waste of the court's time and resources.
Crawford-Browne asked the court to order the State to reimburse him R5m he spent exposing the arms deal scandal, saying this was done in the public's interest.
Judge Burton Fourie reserved judgment until Friday.
- SAPA