Local producer and musician Arthur Mafokate’s assault trial got under way with his ex-girlfriend, Busisiwe “Cici” Twala, narrating how the kwaito star dragged her alongside his car.
Mafokate has pleaded not guilty to a charge of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm after Twala accused him of assaulting her.
Yesterday, Mafokate appeared at the Midrand Branch Court. His lawyer Leana Fick said her client would not be making any formal admissions during the trial.
In an incident which happened in June last year, Mafokate allegedly caused Twala’s serious injuries after dragging her along the street in his vehicle.
Twala, also a musician, told the court she had to undergo a pelvic replacement operation as a result.
She was called to the witnesses stand by the State to recount her version of what happened on the day she was injured.
In an emotional statement, she said on June 1 she went to Mafokate’s home to collect her belongings.
She claims Mafokate confronted her while she was trying to retrieve her belongings and an argument broke out.
“When I arrived at his house, I removed my bags from his car and I was leaving. I proceeded to go (inside the house) upstairs to get more of my belongings.
“As I was packing my things, the accused walked in and said we needed to have a discussion about our relationship,” said Twala.
“I then stated to him that there was nothing we were going to discuss.”
The 28-year-old told the court that Mafokate took her phone and requested that the conversation be moved to a different location because his children were in the house.
She said the heated argument had escalated to the garage, where Mafokate got into his car with her phone, locked the car and proceeded to drive off.
Twala said she was holding onto the handle of the black Kombi when he drove off and deliberately ignored her screams to give back her phone and dragged her for more than 300m.
Prosecutor Mashudu Mutshaeni later questioned the musician to get clarity on the kind of injuries she sustained and whether Mafokate was aware she was hanging onto the vehicle.
She said: “I had to undergo a pelvic replacement operation. I have bruises on my lower stomach/ abdomen and upper thigh.
“The accused came to see me at the hospital the following day and admitted he saw me, but he thought I was being dramatic,” she said.
The legal battle between the two musicians has been postponed to April 18 for cross-examination by Mafokate’s legal team.
In support of the victim, the #NotInMyName campaigners, family and friends filled the gallery of the court.
Themba Masango, secretary-general of #NotInMyNameSA, told The Star that the organisation was glad that the trial had finally kicked off after months of delays and submissions.
“For the past six or seven months, there have been submissions from the defence and attempts to get this case struck off the roll.
“The submissions have failed and this was the first day of trial,” said Masango.
Masango said he was impressed at how confident, open and honest Twala was when she took the stand.
“We have faith in our justice system in South Africa and we believe that there is going to be justice in this case. It’s a clear-cut case and justice must be served,” said Masango.