'Road rage' murder accused angered by media's 'racist view'
A man accused of murder after an apparent incident of road rage has berated the media for “taking a white racist view”. Meekahaefele Masooa‚ a lawyer from Centurion‚ is on trial in the Johannesburg High Court sitting at the Randburg Magistrate's Court for the murder of motorcyclist Douglas Pearce‚ 39.He pleaded not guilty and claimed that he acted in self-defence in the shooting that took place near the intersection of Witkoppen Road and Malibongwe Drive during morning rush-hour traffic on February 14 last year.Masooa's accusations that the media perpetuated racial division came as prosecutor Arveena Persad questioned him on Thursday about the testimony of a previous state witness.The witness testified that he saw‚ through his office window‚ that Masooa shot Pearce in the back. But the court's inspection of the scene showed that he may have been too far away to see such detail.“[The witness] came here to feed the insatiable thirst of newspapers‚ which have their own agendas. They take a white racist view‚ sowing seeds of division instead of cohesion‚” said Masooa.Masooa said he feared for his life because the media had depicted him as a cold-blooded murderer who shot people in the back. This‚ he said‚ made him vulnerable to “fringe lunatics” who might try and avenge Pearce's life.Masooa said the media must be subjected to regulations just like attorneys and accountants‚ with consequences for those who deviate from ethical practice.The defence closed its case on Thursday‚ but Judge Brian Spilg expressed concern about the possible contamination of evidence after a state witness indicated he did not handle the firearms of Masooa and Pearce with the necessary forensic care.Spilg said further independent expert witnesses needed to be called about this‚ and Persad agreed to call two further witnesses.Defence attorney Sabelo Dingiswayo inititally objected to the state calling further witnesses‚ but said later that he will also call another expert witness.The trial was postponed to January 20. - TMG Digital/TMG Courts and Law..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.