DURBAN - THE public will no longer be able to see testominies in the #VerulamRape case after news channel Afro Worldview aired sensitive court proceedings live on television.
The footage was in relation to the alleged #VerulamRape case, where a 43-year-old man has been accused of performing heinous sexual crimes on his 10-year-old stepdaughter for the past five years. The story has gained national media attention.
Magistrate Irfaan Khalil revoked permission to television media to broadcast witnesses testimonies after the news channel broadcast sensitive court proceedings on Tuesday
Afro Worldview, was formerly known as ANN 7 and is owned by Mzwanele Manyi, who bought the business from the Gupta family last year.
At the start of his court appearances last month at the Verulam Family Court, Khalil allowed eNCA and AfroWorldview to televise proceedings, but with conditions.
ANN7 rebranded to Afro Worldview. Picture: afroworldview.com
“You may not show the identity of the accused or broadcast information regarding the identity of the alleged victim,” the magistrate warned at the time.
The bail application continued on Tuesday, but investigation officer in the case, Warrant Officer Nevarge Lutchminarain, was midway his testimony, Khalil stopped proceedings.
“I have just been given notice that the case is being broadcasted live,” he said.
Earlier in the day, eNCA journalist, Dasen Thathiah had assured Khalil that although the case was being recorded, footage would be edited to report ethically.
However, it emerged that part of the case had been broadcasted live on DSTV's vhannel 405 by Afro World View and was also being broadcast live on YouTube.
NOW LIVE: Witness takes the stand where the 43-year old man accused of raping his stepdaughter is making his appearance at the Verulam Magistrates Court. #VerulamRape
Stream https://t.co/jhPvZLD5yV pic.twitter.com/0o27gpYZtR
— Afro Worldview (@afroworldview) July 3, 2018
Khalil immediately stopped the case and called for cameras to be turned off.
Following an adjournment Khalil told the court he had been called by an editor and was notified that proceedings were broadcast live.
“This is a sensitive case in which the identities and rights of the alleged victim, the accused and their legal representatives must be protected,” he said.
At the time, the ID number and name of the victim, a minor, had been read. It is unclear whether this was carried in the live broadcast.
Khalil called forward an Afro Worldview journalist to ask her why the broadcast was aired live
Magistrate Irfan Khalil has completely revoked the permission granted to broadcast journalists to televise some of the testimony during the #VerulamChildRape accused’s bail application. He says @afroworldview contravened his ruling by broadcasting sensitive details live. pic.twitter.com/454L7oLTgf
— Dasen Thathiah (@DasenThathiah) July 3, 2018
She told the magistrate that this happened prior to Khalil stating he would tell media what parts of testimony could be televised at the end of the day.
Khalil, concerned about the impacts on the case as the trial is yet to start, then banned all television media from carrying any footage during testimony.
Khalil said the broadcasters would now only be allowed to broadcast arguments made by legal representatives.