Union secretary faces defamation, crimen injuria charges

CHARGES of defamation and crimen injuria have been opened against the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) after the union laid charges against Sol Plaatje municipal councillors for allegedly convening an illegal special council meeting on April 29 during the lockdown restriction period.

The meeting, which was later declared invalid, was held to appoint Boy Dhluwayo as the new acting municipal manager.

Samwu local secretary Nomathamsanqa Banda, who obtained a protection order against some of the councillors for alleged intimidation and harassment, said that the police wanted to arrest her on the defamation and crimen injuria charges.

She stated that it was “ironic” that none of the councillors were arrested for being in violation of the Disaster Management Act, although the police wanted to arrest her for a civil matter.

Her application to obtain an interdict against the councillors is expected to be heard in the Northern Cape High Court next month.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Mohale Ramatseba confirmed on Wednesday that the police were investigating a case of crimen injuria and defamation of character against a 39-year-old female.

“Both complainants and the suspect are employees at the Sol Plaatje Municipality and the incidents allegedly took place at the workplace. The cases were made at the Kimberley police station on May 22 and will be investigated and sent to the senior State prosecutor for a decision,” said Ramatseba.