Charges of crimen injuria and intimidation were laid on Tuesday against fraud and corruption accused Schabir Shaik.
Police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Vishnu Naidoo said a police officer stationed at the Durban High Court claimed he was ”verbally and racially assaulted” before the resumption of Shaik’s trial on Tuesday morning.
According to witnesses, the argument started when Shaik was prevented from parking in the High Court premises.
Police officers at the court told Shaik he could not park on the premises as a car carrying all his legal documents for the trial had already been allowed in and he was allowed only one parking spot.
Shaik — who had previously been allowed to park at the court — allegedly then accused the policeman of racism, and asked why whites were allowed in.
Although Naidoo refused to say against whom the charges would be laid, Shaik’s brother Mo confirmed on Tuesday that it was against Schabir.
”It’s one more charge, no problem,” he said.
However, Shaik’s attorney, Reeves Parsee, did not want to comment on Tuesday and said he did not know about the incident.
”I don’t know what you are talking about,” he said.
The High Court is currently hearing the cross-examination of KPMG forensic expert Johan van der Walt.
Shaik faces charges relating to allegedly soliciting a R500 000-a-year bribe for Deputy President Jacob Zuma in exchange for protection during a probe into arms-deal irregularities.
He has pleaded not guilty. — Sapa