“ Jy vat my lankal vir ‘n n***”.
This is allegedly what an ANC dik ding told a worker as he beat him up in his office.
Secretary of the ANC in the Western Cape Faiez Jacobs yesterday pleaded not guilty to assaulting his policy co-ordinator Wesley Seale in November 2015.
The trial started in the Cape Town Magistrates' Court yesterday, where Jacobs faces charges of assault to do grievous bodily harm.
Pictures of a bleeding Seale circulated on social media with a caption claiming he had been moered for not writing a report which Jacobs had asked him to do.
Jacobs’ lawyer, William King, gave their version of events.
“A heated exchange took place between the complainant and the accused. The complainant raised his voice and moved forward, verbally attacking and invading my client’s space.
“He just slapped the complainant away from him. He raised his leg to ward off the complainant and cannot say whether there was contact between his leg or complainant.
“The slap caused the complainant to fall and he fell against a safe in the office,” King said.
However, when Seale took the stand, he said Jacobs attacked first.
“I was summoned to his (Jacobs') office and I immediately went. We were sitting and he asked me why I did not write up a report,” Seale testified.
“I told him it was not in my job description and he asked me what my problem was. He stood up, closed the door and hit me with his fist in my face from the back.
“I fell from the chair; he then started kicking me in my abdomen, saying: “ Jy vat my lankal vir ‘n n***”.
“I was shouting and screaming for help and three staff members came in to help, two restrained him. He then said that he wasn’t done with me yet.
“I sustained seven stitches to my left ear and bruises in my neck and arm,” Seale said.
The trial continues.