The inquest court hearing on the death of gang leader Rashaad Staggie in Cape Town was yesterday postponed to October 29, following requests by media lawyers to have time to contest the validity of subpoenas. On August 18, it was reported that the editors of "The Cape Times", "The Cape Argus", "Die Burger", "SA Press Association", "Associated Press", Reuters News Agency and SABC TV were served with subpoenas to hand over to the court photographs, video footage and transcripts pertaining to meetings, gatherings and demonstrations of Pagad before the public killing of Staggie, as well as of events on the night of August 6 1996. The court also demanded that the media reveal the names of photographers responsible for the video and photographs and journalists who conducted the interviews. One of the lawyers told the court that evidence would be led at the resumed hearing pertaining to the freedom of the press. Meanwhile, magistrate JH Venter gave warning to the media to refrain from any form of reporting that would pre-empt the findings of the inquest. The magistrate also reminded the media of the penalty for violations of the Inquest Act - a fine of R2 000 or six months imprisonment or both. On August 30, Reuters said that i twas prepared to fight for its rights in the Constitutional Court. It indicated that the refusal was in conformity with its practice worldwide ofrefusing to disclose confidential sources and to furnish the police or courts with information obtained by its journalists while carrying out their duties ingathering news in the public interest. However, a subpoena issued to SA Press Association was withdrawn earlier after Sapa informed the court that it had no visual or other material which might help in the inquest.

ENDS