POLOKWANE – A case of common assault was made against Amukelani Rikhotso, the truck driver accused of causing a crash, which killed former Public Service and Administration Minister, Collins Chabane, after he allegedly assaulted SABC cameraman, Llewellyn Carstens outside the Polokwane magistrate’s court on Tuesday.
Rikhotso is free on R5 000 bail and faces three charges of culpable homicide and one of driving under the influence of alcohol for his alleged involvement in the accident.
It is alleged that Rikhotso smashed his fists into Carstens’ camera outside the court, causing slight injuries to Carstens’ face.
Carstens told Review that the SABC had permission to film in court and, after Rikhotso was granted bail, he followed the accused out of the courtroom and into the street as he wanted to film the accused from the front.
“As I passed him and turned my camera to him, he smashed the camera,” Carstens recalled. Carstens’ camera was dismantled but was not damaged and he sustained minor injuries, including a cut above his eye.
Provincial police spokesperson, Col Ronél Otto, confirmed that a case of common assault was opened at the Polokwane police station. Otto said the case would be investigated and on completion be sent to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for a final decision.
Rikhotso is also facing two other charges of assault and will be back in court on 25 September for the case involving Chabane’s death.
