(MISA/IFEX) – Former “Cape Times” chief photographer Benny Gool will not testify in the trial of Pagad members, accused of lynching Hard Livings gang leader Rashaad Staggie. The trial that began on 14 May 2001. Speaking from his home yesterday Gool said he had been advised by his lawyers not to testify. “There are two […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Former “Cape Times” chief photographer Benny Gool will not testify in the trial of Pagad members, accused of lynching Hard Livings gang leader Rashaad Staggie. The trial that began on 14 May 2001.
Speaking from his home yesterday Gool said he had been advised by his lawyers not to testify. “There are two things I have to consider: one is testifying as a journalist, which I’m not prepared to do at all. Secondly, there’s the question of security. Witnesses have been killed left, right and centre. Police can’t serve me with a subpoena and not even talk about providing security.”
A number of witnesses to cases involving Pagad members have been murdered, spreading fear among those who must still testify. Gool was at the scene when Staggie was beaten, shot and set alight by a crowd of approximately 300 Pagad supporters.
Over the past two years Independent Newspapers Cape has been vigorously fighting Gool’s case by challenging the legality of any subpoenas served on him, taking other legal steps on his behalf, and seeking to secure his safety.
(SOURCE: “The Star”, 14 May 2001)
