GOBABIS ELLANIE SMIT
The alleged victim of a Gobabis bar attack claims that one of the suspects has a history of racial abuse toward him and this included telling him to go drink in the township during an altercation in 2011.
In a statement read out in court this week, Levi Katire claimed that Nico Kotze, who together with Frederick (Boetie) du Plessis is charged with racial discrimination and assault, had racially abused him as far back as 2011.
This is in direct conflict with Kotze's evidence in court that he was not a racist.
Katire, who was two weeks ago assaulted at Buffalo's bar, allegedly by Kotze and Du Plessis, revealed in his statement that he had an altercation with Kotze at a drinking hole called the Big Five bar two years ago.
"I know Nico and can point out. This is not the first time that I encounter racial discrimination from Nico. I can recall clearly enjoying a drink at Big Five in 2011 and watching basketball. I was seated at the bar with a DStv remote and drink in front of when Nico and his brother walked in."
Katire continued: "I went to the toilet and when I returned Nico was seated at the exact spot I was [sitting before], with the remote in his hands and my drinks. I then shifted my drinks and took the seat next to him. He said 'dis my broer se plek' (this is my brother's place). I looked at him and said 'you took my place. Now when I sit here you say it's your brothers place. He said 'Here, kan julle nie Epako toe gaan nie? Het Epako nie sulke plekke nie? (God, can't you go drink at Epako? Does Epako not have such places?) I ignored him and enjoyed my drink."
It is alleged by the prosecution that the Big Five altercation led directly to the attack on Katire and his two friends two weeks ago at Buffalo's bar.
Kotze and Du Plessis are applying for bail in the Gobabis Magistrate's Court.
Kotze has already admitted during the bail hearing that Buffalo's bar is a private club, open only to members. The bar has been closed until the conclusion of the court case.
The pub has a membership of about 85 people, all of whom are white. Kotze said no black person has ever applied for membership.
According to Kotze the only black person he has invited to Buffalo's bar is the Gobabis municipality's chief executive officer, Efraim Dawids.
Dawids was, however, denied entry to the bar during a second visit, Kotze testified.
According to Katire's statement about the incident at Buffalo's bar two weeks ago, a fight broke out between him and Kotze and while arguing Katire heard a bottle break.
When Katire turned around, Kotze punched him and he fell on his back. According to the statement, Katire felt dizzy from the fall and when he finally stood up he could not properly make out what was happening. "All I could feel is that I was being assaulted from different directions. I tried to fight back but the guys were too many and I had not yet regained proper consciousness. I then started retreating towards the exit."
However, serious discrepancies have emerged between the State's version of the alleged attack and the original police statement made by Katire.
The defence team has accused prosecutor Johan Pienaar of trying to delay the process and he has struggled to put forward the State's case.
Pienaar made several mistakes during the bail hearing with regard to statements and incorrect facts being submitted in court.
Yesterday, advocate Louis Botes, who is defending the suspects, charged that the court cannot rely on Pienaar's personal impressions.