Police drove away from the scene of an accident involving Pretoria High Court Judge Nkola Motata after being told by radio control not to arrest him, the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court heard on Monday.
Johannesburg metro police officer Paulina Mashilelo, testifying in Motata’s drunken-driving case, said she was standing with South African Police Service (SAPS) members at the scene where Motata crashed his Jaguar into the perimeter wall of a Hurlingham property on January 6 2007 — allegedly while drunk.
She said she heard SAPS members receive instructions over radio control. ”While I was standing with the SAPS and listening to their radio, they were informed they should not arrest Judge Motata, and Motata should talk to the owner of the residence.”
Mashilelo said the SAPS officers left the scene about two minutes later.
Earlier, Mashielo said that when she arrived on the scene with her partner, Frieda Ramafemo, the judge addressed her by saying: ”Hey you, you, light in complexion.”
When she approached the scene just after 2am, a security company van, tow trucks and neighbours were gathered there.
Motata was leaning against the driver’s side of his car, apparently arguing.
”At the scene I found Judge Motata. He was busy talking with another gentleman and another lady … I heard as if they were shouting with each other, or if there was an argument.”
Mashilelo said Motata informed her he was a judge, even showing her his appointment card.
He also showed her his driver’s licence, which he allegedly later left in the back of her police vehicle.
”[On the scene] he said, yes he was the driver, and this is a state car,” Mashilelo said. — Sapa