Alleged ‘war room’ plotter sues for R1m
Sexwale demands retraction
THE ANC “war room” saga has taken a twist as senior Gauteng government official Kay Sexwale sued ANC supporter Thami Mthimkulu for R1 million in damages.
This follows a series of tweets claiming that Sexwale was part of a team whose mandate was to spread “dirt” about opposition parties in last year’s municipal elections.
The Mail & Guardian reported yesterday that fake Twitter accounts were created earlier this month to attack Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, as well as send positive messages about the controversial Gupta family.
Various media organisations were also dragged into the fake social media accounts mire.
It emerged in South Gauteng High Court papers that PR consultant Sihle Bolani was owed R2.2m by the ANC for the alleged covert operation to tarnish the image of opposition parties, particularly the DA and EFF, in the 2016 elections campaign.
Bolani said among those allegedly involved in the “war room” were Shaka Sisulu and Joseph Nkadimeng.
Sisulu denied any links to the suspected project and said the allegations were false.
The ANC said Bolani and Sisulu were volunteers of the ANC.
This, however, has been denied by Bolani.
And in a letter this week, it emerged that she had signed a settlement of R1m with ANC general manager Ignatius Jacobs.
ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said Sisulu was not an employee of the party, and it was handling the issue of Jacobs.
Jacobs has said the contract he signed with Bolani was not binding. The matter was dismissed in court as it was deemed not to be urgent.
In a letter of demand to Mthimkulu, Sexwale’s lawyers said he must retract his claims on Twitter.
Despite Bolani not naming Sexwale as part of the alleged “war room”, according to the lawyers, Mthimkulu said Sexwale was involved.
Mthimkulu allegedly claimed Sexwale was desperate and tried to involve him in anti-Zuma campaigns.
Mthimkulu is accused of besmirching Sexwale’s name and her legal representatives want him to delete all the offending tweets.
The lawyers also want Mthimkulu to desist from making any further defamatory remarks against their client.
Mthimkulu did not respond to calls or text messages for comment.
The ANC has been criticised by opposition parties over the “war room” claims.
The DA said it would take the matter to the Electoral Court because the conduct of the ruling ANC was against the Electoral Code.
The EFF also said it would consider its next course of action against the ANC.