Young victim sues sex-pest magistrate, 67

Disgraced Durban regional magistrate Steve Mundhree, who is challenging a conviction for sexual assault, is now facing a R100000 civil claim from his victim.

Mundhree, 67, was given a suspended prison sentence in October last year for sexually assaulting his 24-year-old court stenographer in November 2010.

During sentencing, magistrate Jan Greyvenstein berated Mundhree, saying he was old enough to be the victim's grandfather and had disgraced the magistrate's office. Mundhree and his team, however, appealed the conviction and sentence.

It has now emerged that the woman has lodged a R100000 civil claim against the former senior magistrate.

Mundhree's attorney, Colin Thandroyen, confirmed the claim against his client, saying they would oppose the action.

This week, in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, where Mundhree and his team are appealing the conviction, state prosecutor Advocate Adelaide Watt slammed Mundhree's counsel, Advocate Paddy Prior, for implying that the complainant had initiated the incident.

"It is highly improbable that a 24-year-old Muslim woman would initiate any romance with her 67-year-old superior, especially during Eid."

The former legal heavyweight, responsible for heading several high-profile matters in the past, found himself on the other side of the law, leaning in to listen to the proceedings.

There were only two other women in the otherwise empty gallery, a few rows behind Mundhree, one of whom is believed to be the complainant and the other her friend.

During the initial criminal trial, it emerged that, in November 2010, Mundhree asked a public prosecutor to send the stenographer to his chambers.

The complainant said that Mundhree asked her about her marital status. She was going through a divorce at the time.

According to court papers she said: "I was quite surprised that he knew about me, but because he was a magistrate, I somehow needed to answer him."

Mundhree gave her a box of chocolates, which she did not accept. He told her that she was a very attractive lady and that her husband was making a mistake by leaving her.

She said Mundhree hugged and kissed her and fondled her breasts. He also forced his tongue into her mouth.

Watt further argued that Mundhree had authority over the complainant and that he had initiated the advances with chocolates.

The complainant had been appointed to Mundhree's court a week before the incident.

"Mundhree misused his power of authority to lure her into his office and then indecently touched her. He expressed interest in her beforehand by telling the Legal Aid attorney he must 'hook him up' - that was the rumour she heard and that was why she did not want to go to his office alone," Watt told the Sunday Times Extra.

The appeal has been reserved for judgment.