Warders 'torture' accused for missing Tau Mogale on Generations

Nathi Msiza, the Mamelodi, Pretoria, man in the dock for allegedly hijacking Generations: The Legacy actor Rapulana Seiphemo, pictured, has told the Pretoria Magistrate's Court that prison warders are torturing him on the grounds that they no longer see Seiphemo on screen.

During his brief appearance in court yesterday, Msiza, 26, told the magistrate of his troubles at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.

"I have a problem in custody. Prison warders are harassing me about this case," he said.

"They tell me that they don't see Tau Mogale on Generations because of me. Yesterday they beat me up and [electrocuted] me."

The magistrate told Msiza to report his claims to prison authorities.

Seiphemo plays Mogale in the popular SABC1 soapie. He is reportedly recovering at home after he was discharged from hospital last month. He is yet to return on set after a collision on the N14 near Diepsloot on February 14. Seiphemo reportedly lost control of his Audi A4 when Msiza and an accomplice, Tebogo Makunyane, 34, were allegedly hijacking him. The pair allegedly got inside Seiphomo's car when he stopped at traffic lights and forced him to drive towards Mogale City.

Seiphemo's car apparently caused an accident that killed three people during the alleged hijacking. These were Makunyane and Donovan van Zyl, 24, and Jacobus Coertze, 28, from Krugersdorp.

Msiza survived. He still walks with crutches after being injured in the collision. Msiza faces two charges of hijacking and defeating the ends of justice in connection with the incident.

His trial was expected to start yesterday, but the state asked for postponement citing the need for further investigations by police.

Msiza appeared without a lawyer and said he would deliver his own defence.

The matter was postponed to May 26. Msiza returned to Kgosi Mampuru II, where he would be kept until his trial begins.

He was incarcerated here after being denied bail on March 17.

At the time, the court ruled that he was likely to abscond if released because he had already done so when he was previously charged for minor crimes in 2012.