The KZN High Court (Durban) has again issued a stern warning to the media in the money laundering and corruption trial against former mayor of eThekwini Municipality, Zandile Gumede, after Advocate Griffiths Madonsela demanded an apology from News24 and the Daily Sun, accusing them of making him look like a crazy lawyer.

This after Judge Sharmaine Balton expressed annoyance in court last Monday when she thought Madonsela was late.

But Madonsela said he was sick last Monday, and his colleague alerted him of an article on News 24 about him not being in court, reports the Daily News.

He was angered by the article which stated that he had not appeared in court by 1pm.

Madonsela said he was never in court on Monday.

Balton warned journalists against sensationalism.

She said the court overlooked Madonsela’s request to be excused and admitted to being irritated on Monday over late coming and made specific reference to Madonsela.

‘There was a media application on Thursday (12 October), so the court overlooked the request to be excused,’ said Balton.

The News24 journalist said he wrote what happened in court on Monday and that he would let his editors know about this incident.

‘I’m happy to write a follow-up article,’ said the journalist. 

However, Madonsela would not hear any of it, and Balton ended up saying that they could resolve the matter outside her court.

Full Daily News report