THE Western Cape High Court has ordered former Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane to pay damages for defaming his former colleagues.
Maimane was dragged to court by four former DA councillors, whom he had accused of corruption in 2018.
On Friday, 13 October, the court ordered Maimane to pay former councillors Shaun August, Suzette Little, Gregchan Barnardo and Thulani Stemele for tarnishing their names.
The former councillors resigned on 25 October 2018. This was on the same day the council adopted the “Bowman's Report”, pertaining among other things the alleged misconduct of certain municipal officials and councillors within the city.
The following day, Maimane who was DA’s leader at the time went on to address the media stating that the report “... made serious findings against those people. They must be investigated."
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The court said Maimane went on to publish similar defamatory statements in a newsletter, known as Bokamoso via email on 26 October 2018.
August demanded R200 000, Little and Stemele wanted R250 000 and Barnardo demanded R300 000 from Maimane. However, at its discretion, the court reduced the amount which would see Stemele and Little getting R120 000 each, while August would get R100 000 and Barnardo getting R135 000.
Maimane was also made to pay for the legal cost of the plaintiffs. In deciding the matter, acting Judge Susan Van Zyl said Maimane admitted that his actions harmed his former colleagues.
“The defendant concedes that the defamation was serious and accepts that, prior to making the statements, the plaintiffs were respected local politicians and public figures in their respective communities. As the leader of the DA at the time, the defendant was a major political and public figure. His reach was far and his reputation was respected,” she said.
