BUSINESSMAN Richard Baird says he has still not yet received a cent from convicted high court judge Nkola Motata, who smashed into the wall of his property while driving home from a drinking spree.
Baird said yesterday that he did not understand the motivation behind Motata's latest court bid in the Pretoria High Court, where he wants to stop Justice Minister Jeff Radebe from instructing the Judicial Service Commission to appoint a judicial tribunal to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.
Baird questioned Motata's move and wanted to know why the judge had not brought his application immediately after his conviction and before his application for leave to appeal.
Baird, who earlier said he suffered damages of R4,500, said the bill had since increased to R10,000.
Baird also incurred legal bills of about R50,000 as a result of the January 2007 crash.
In audio recordings played in court, Motata is repeatedly heard telling Baird that he is willing to pay for his damaged wall, "whether drunk or sober".
But Baird hit back yesterday, saying that "clearly he was not sober because I have not received even a cent from him until today".
"Now how's that for somebody who wants to go back to the bench and work?"
Baird said Motata was confused about several details of the accident, even though Motata had claimed that he used the route where he had crashed frequently as a short cut. In a letter to Motata, he said: "To inform you in this regard, the gates (to the suburb) are only open on weekdays from 6am to 9am. You inaccurately stated this easily verifiable fact as 9pm to 6pm.
"You also went on to say that you use this road frequently as a short cut.
"That is a surprise as you were going the wrong way to the flow of traffic!"
Motata's attorney Simeon Ngomane was not available for comment yesterday.
Motata yet to pay for damage
BUSINESSMAN Richard Baird says he has still not yet received a cent from convicted high court judge Nkola Motata, who smashed into the wall of his property while driving home from a drinking spree.
Baird said yesterday that he did not understand the motivation behind Motata's latest court bid in the Pretoria High Court, where he wants to stop Justice Minister Jeff Radebe from instructing the Judicial Service Commission to appoint a judicial tribunal to investigate allegations of misconduct against him.
Baird questioned Motata's move and wanted to know why the judge had not brought his application immediately after his conviction and before his application for leave to appeal.
Baird, who earlier said he suffered damages of R4,500, said the bill had since increased to R10,000.
Baird also incurred legal bills of about R50,000 as a result of the January 2007 crash.
In audio recordings played in court, Motata is repeatedly heard telling Baird that he is willing to pay for his damaged wall, "whether drunk or sober".
But Baird hit back yesterday, saying that "clearly he was not sober because I have not received even a cent from him until today".
"Now how's that for somebody who wants to go back to the bench and work?"
Baird said Motata was confused about several details of the accident, even though Motata had claimed that he used the route where he had crashed frequently as a short cut. In a letter to Motata, he said: "To inform you in this regard, the gates (to the suburb) are only open on weekdays from 6am to 9am. You inaccurately stated this easily verifiable fact as 9pm to 6pm.
"You also went on to say that you use this road frequently as a short cut.
"That is a surprise as you were going the wrong way to the flow of traffic!"
Motata's attorney Simeon Ngomane was not available for comment yesterday.
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