Arrested judge out on bail

JOHANNESBURG – Confusion reigned at the Randburg magistrate’s court yesterday when a Pretoria High Court judge arrested for drunken driving failed to appear at the court.

After waiting outside the court for about half an hour, journalists learnt that Judge Nkola Motata, who was arrested in Hurlingham, Johannesburg on Friday, had already been released on bail. He would appear at the Hillbrow magistrate’s court on January 26.Metro police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, who confirmed that a judge had been arrested on Friday, could not divulge information about Motata not appearing on Monday.”SAPS are now handling this, please ask them.There’s nothing we can say or do about this now, please,” said Minnaar.Gauteng police spokesperson Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo told Sapa that a “mix-up” had occurred and police had initially thought that Motata would appear in Randburg yesterday.”However, he will only appear at the Hillbrow magistrate’s court on January 26.”He earlier told another journalist that Motata had been released shortly after the arrest on R1 000 bail.He was not available yesterday morning to explain the circumstances surrounding the judge’s release on bail.Motata was arrested for drunken driving on Friday after he drove into a wall.He allegedly resisted arrest and was put in a police car by five metro police officers in Hurlingham, the Sunday Times reported.Minnaar said two women officers on the scene had called for assistance after the judge became “unco-operative.”SapaHe would appear at the Hillbrow magistrate’s court on January 26.Metro police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar, who confirmed that a judge had been arrested on Friday, could not divulge information about Motata not appearing on Monday.”SAPS are now handling this, please ask them.There’s nothing we can say or do about this now, please,” said Minnaar.Gauteng police spokesperson Director Govindsamy Mariemuthoo told Sapa that a “mix-up” had occurred and police had initially thought that Motata would appear in Randburg yesterday.”However, he will only appear at the Hillbrow magistrate’s court on January 26.”He earlier told another journalist that Motata had been released shortly after the arrest on R1 000 bail.He was not available yesterday morning to explain the circumstances surrounding the judge’s release on bail.Motata was arrested for drunken driving on Friday after he drove into a wall.He allegedly resisted arrest and was put in a police car by five metro police officers in Hurlingham, the Sunday Times reported.Minnaar said two women officers on the scene had called for assistance after the judge became “unco-operative.”Sapa