Equality court case against DA local councillor begins in Newcastle magistrate’s court
The Equality court in Newcastle had its first hearing in the case regarding Local DA ward councillor Connie Hariram accused of sending a voice note.
Thandeka Reed / Mahlanga filed a complaint on October 14, 2022, against DA Cllr, Connie Hariram for discrimination after Hariram was heard on a voice note questioning why Reed, a black lady, was elected onto the ward committee.
Reed was present in court, along with Newcastle Residents Forum members, Matthew Shunmugan and Neil Sooknanan, who said they were there to offer her (Reed) support.
Both the respondent, Connie Hariram, and her legal counsel, Karna Chetty, were not present.
However, an attorney from Chetty’s law firm, Mr Msibi, told the court that Chetty had asked him to appear on his behalf as he was attending to a case court in Madadeni.
Msibi expressed uncertainty as to why Hariram was not in court.
Magistrate Sandy Hill postponed the case to give Reed time to appoint an attorney to represent her, and for Chetty to be in court to represent Hariram.
The case will be back again in the Equality Court for a directions hearing on February 6, when a trial date is expected to be set
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