A witness in the drunken driving trial of Pretoria high court Judge Nkola Motata says she has been threatened, the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court heard on Monday.

"I have a problem with testifying at this stage because I was threatened that I would lose my job, and I will spend many years in prison," said metro police officer Paulinah Mashimela.

Before answering any questions during cross-examination, Mashimela said she had a complaint to make and told the court of the threats against her.

"I was also informed that I am not fit to be a metro police officer."

Mashimela said she had made an affidavit at a police station and had reported the incident to her employer.

She handed in the copy of the affidavit to Magistrate Desmond Nair.

Nair had a look at the affidavit, made some notes, and then adjourned court.

He requested both defence and the State, as well as the instructing attorney to meet in the Chief Magistrate's chambers to discuss the matter.

Motata is on trial after crashing his Jaguar into the perimeter wall of a Hurlingham property on 6 January last year.

Sapa