ANC’s Mthembu sues Hlaudi for R1m

ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu is suing SABC group executive of corporate affairs Hlaudi Motsoeneng for R1-million for making “malicious and defamatory allegations” against him.

Mthembu’s office said yesterday that Motsoeneng‚ during a live broadcast of a New Age business briefing on October 27‚ had 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”.

Motsoeneng further alleged Mthembu had attempted to “capture” him.

Mthembu’s legal representatives‚ Nicqui Galaktiou Inc‚ sent a letter to Motsoeneng on November 2 demanding an immediate public apology and retraction of his “defamatory claims”.

“The letter further demanded that Mr Motsoeneng disclose all the details of the alleged meeting where such attempted ‘capture’ allegedly took place.

“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‚” said Mthembu’s office.

“There is no doubt that Mr Motsoeneng’s claims are unfounded‚ unsubstantiated and blatantly false. The made-up accusations‚ aired publicly on live television‚ were intended to impugn the character of the chief whip.

“Imputing improper motives on the chief whip was clearly designed to threaten and blackmail him and the ANC in parliament into silence on a matter of principle with the hope that the inquiry into the SABC would be abandoned.”

Mthembu‚ in his court papers‚ is asking the court to order Motsoeneng to: ● Pay a sum of R1 000 000; ● Issue an unconditional public apology for the injury caused to the chief whip as a result of the defamatory statement‚ both in print and over a public broadcast; and ● Pay the legal costs. “The chief whip remains unshaken and unintimidated by Mr Motsoeneng’s spurious allegations.” — TMG Digital