Despite being "humiliated", the victims of the racist Free State University video have asked that its makers not be jailed.

But Emma Koko, Nkgapeng Adams, Mankoe Phororo, David Molete and Sebuseng Ntlatseng - the cleaners who ate food that appeared to have been urinated on - asked that the Reitz 4 be punished to teach them a lesson.

The four - RC Malherbe, Schalk van der Merwe, Johnny Roberts and Danie Grobler - have pleaded guilty to charges of crimen injuria in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court and yesterday appeared for lawyers' pre-sentence arguments.

Their lawyer, Kemp J Kemp, asked Magistrate Mziwonke Hinxa not to jail them but to fine them R5000 each. He said they had already been punished in the media and in being suspended from the university.

Kemp said Van der Merwe, 24, now worked on his father's farm, earning R4500 a month, because he was unable to complete his agriculture degree. Roberts earned R10000 a month after completing his BCom.

Malherbe, 25, also worked on his father's farm, for R4200 a month, having been suspended from the university. Grobler, 27, earned R9500 a month in Namibia.

Kemp said his clients had paid for their actions, understood the consequences thereof and had made a public apology.

But prosecutor Johan Kruger asked the magistrate to fine the four R15000 each.

"This case must send a message that disrespecting older people is a crime," he said, adding that the leaked video was "demeaning".

He said the "close relationship" and "trust" Koko had with Roberts had been violated.

The case was postponed until tomorrow for sentencing.