/ 4 December 2000

MAGISTRATE WINS R20000 DAMAGES

NELSPRUIT’S chief magistrate, David Ngobeni, has been awarded R20000 damages against Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete after police searched his townhouse for stolen goods without a warrant. Ngobeni sued Tshwete and Nelspruit police Captain Annelise Mathyssen for R100. The Nelspruit Civil Court awarded Ngobeni R20000 for the wrongful search, plus between R8000 and R10000 for the travel costs of his attorney. Police did not find any stolen goods. – African Eye News Service