Mthembu sues Motsoeneng
The legal counsel of the ANC Chief Whip, Jackson Mthembu has initiated formal court proceedings against SABC's Group Executive of Corporate Affairs, Hlaudi Motsoeneng.
Mthembu's office says the formal court proceedings were initiated for the malicious and defamatory allegations Motsoeneng publicly made against him few weeks ago.
Motsoeneng insinuated that Mthembu tried to capture him and warned the Chief Whip not to continue speaking out against the SABC.
"During the live broadcast of the New Age business briefing on 27 October, Mr Motsoeneng made outrageous claims and veiled threats against the Chief Whip, warning him to desist from 'making a lot of noise' regarding the SABC and alleging his interest was driven by ulterior motives. Mr Motsoeneng further alleged that the Chief Whip had attempted to "capture" him," says Mthembu's office.
Mthembu's legal representatives sent a letter to Motsoeneng demanding an immediate public apology and retraction for his defamatory claims.
The letter further demanded that Motsoeneng disclose all the details of the alleged meeting where the attempted "capture" allegedly took placed.
"Having failed to do so within the stipulated period, legal proceedings have now been lodged with the Court and Mr Motsoeneng will be served with the papers in the next few days," says Mthembu's office.
In his court papers, Mthembu is asking the court to order Motsoeneng to pay a sum of R1 million, issue an unconditional public apology - both in print and over a public broadcast - within seven days of the date of judgment, and pay the legal costs.