A Pretoria resident brutally stabbed by an acting judge is contemplating a private prosecution.
Conrad Pretorius’s move was informed by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to prosecute him instead after the acting judge opened a countercharge against him.
It is alleged that an altercation ensued between Pretorius and the judge in Menlo Park, after which the judge chased Pretorius through the streets in his vehicle until he stopped, then stabbed him in the neck and leg.
MEDIA STATEMENT: Victim files civil claim against acting judge involved in alleged road rage incident
Three months after Conrad Pretorius was allegedly stabbed in the neck and leg by an acting judge and practicing advocate, he has filed a damages claim at the Pretoria High… pic.twitter.com/YW3akjW5dc
— Barry Bateman (@barrybateman) November 17, 2023
According to AfriForum spokesperson Barry Bateman, Pretorius was fortunate enough to be able to drive himself to the nearest hospital.
“Pretorius was hospitalised and discharged almost a week later. While in hospital, he filed a criminal complaint of attempted murder against the acting judge, but soon discovered that the judge had filed a criminal complaint against him,” said Bateman.
He said AfriForum private prosecution had made representations to the NPA arguing that the decision to prosecute the victim was irrational.
Bateman said the decision further demonstrated that the acting judge was being shielded from prosecution due to their status within the legal fraternity.
However, in its letter to AfriForum, the NPA said there was no reason to interfere with the decision of the Hatfield court senior prosecutor and that the trial must continue.
AfriForum maintained its view and further said it would approach the national director of public prosecutions to review the decision.
“It is not uncommon for counter-charges to be filed in criminal matters to frustrate the course of justice. We see it far too often. This is why we have emphasised the importance of the NPA taking into account all the evidence in this matter to make a rational and just decision.”
Pretorius appeared in the Hatfield magistrate’s court on Tuesday, November 7 when the case was postponed to January 11 for further investigation.
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