Broadcast of Daveyton trial opposed
Lawyers for the nine policemen accused of killing a Daveyton taxi driver asked the Benoni Magistrate's Court on Friday to deny a media application to broadcast the proceedings.
"I would submit that the pictures or recordings could amount to torture," defence lawyer Sam Liso said.
"These officers are interacting with the community on a daily basis.
"Putting this on TV... could lead to police killings. It could put the lives of these officers in danger."
VIDEO: Police brutality protesters outside court
VIDEO: Police brutality protesters outside court
Other lawyers criticised the decision by media companies to use a Legal Aid lawyer to present their application.
They argued that the media was not acting in the interests of the public, but rather for its own profit.
Zaheer Kathrada, for the media, argued that the public needed to know the details of the case to re-affirm its trust in the SA Police Service and the judicial system.
"The reputation of South Africa is at stake."
Prosecutor December Mthimunye asked to court to accept the application.
"Public interest far outweighs the accused's interests," he said.
Magistrate Sam Makamu approved the application.
"Taking photographs and recordings shall be allowed," he said. However, this would be disallowed during proceedings.
Earlier, Makamu adjourned the court to deal with the question of media attendance.
"I am fully aware that this case is of national interest and that not all media were allowed in," he said.
Makamu said the broadcast media needed to apply for permission to cover proceedings and needed a lawyer to do so.
"We cannot proceed without an application from the media." Mthimunye said.
Earlier, a ninth policeman was arrested for Macia's death.
Below are the 9 accused in the doc:
Motome Walter Ramatlou appeared with Meshack Malele, 45, Thamsanqa Ncema, 35, Percy Mnisi, 26, Bongumusa Mdluli, 25, Sipho Ngobeni, 30, Lungisa Ewababa, 31, Bongani Kolisi, 27, and Linda Sololo, 56.
Mozambican taxi driver Mido Macia, 27, was allegedly tied to the back of a police van and dragged along a street in Daveyton on February 26. An eyewitness filmed the assault.
Macia was found dead in the local police station's holding cells several hours later. A post-mortem revealed that he had died of head and internal injuries.
A small crowd gathered outside the court on Friday afternoon to protest against granting bail to the policemen. They sang and held up pictures of Macia.
Protesters outside the Benoni court
- Images and video: Mia Lindeque