IT’S not going to be an easy road for the ANC’s Mzala Nxumalo region as the regional executive member Khabo MamDlalose Nene’s lawyers were questioning the manner in which their client was splashed through social media as a “delinquent”
Durban - IT’S not going to be an easy road for the ANC’s Mzala Nxumalo region as the regional executive member Khabo MamDlalose Nene’s lawyers were questioning the manner in which their client was splashed through social media as a “delinquent”.
Nene was recently heard in several voice notes allegedly hurling insults at the late minister Jackson Mthembu, who died of Covid-19-related complications.
Ruphas Makhanya of Bhengu and Rajagopal Attorneys wrote to the regional leadership, asking for reasons why the allegations against Nene should be taken seriously.
“Among the issues detailed in this statement are the allegations of voice notes, which are attributed to our client. As a result of the content of the voice notes, the statement has recommended immediate suspension of our client as an executive member of the Mzala Nxumalo region. We note that (the) statement bears the names and contact details of Mr Buthelezi and Mr Dube, being the regional secretary and spokesperson respectively.
“We further noted with concern that the statement is not issued on an official letterhead nor on any official website. Further, there has been no contact with our client in respect of these disturbing allegations. Not only is the content of your alleged statement disturbing but it has attracted unwarranted and, to an extent, hostile attention by the public at large towards our client,” read the letter to the ANC regional leadership.
In the letter, Makhanya said his client has been a recipient of a barrage of insults and threats to her life.
“The Sowetan newspaper has also on the strength of your alleged statement written an article on (Nene), without having sought our client's view or version. Meaning that, the narrative perpetrated by your alleged statement has been nationally publicised, without anyone seeking to hear our client's version. This has caused a great deal of emotional and psychological harm to our client, and now is threatening her life. Her constitutional right to be heard has been violated. The principle of audi alteram partem has been breached,” he said.
The letter said irreparable harm has been caused to Nene because of the statement. Her character and good standing has been defamed, it said.
The attorney offered an opportunity for the region to confirm the authenticity of this statement and, if so, immediately retract it as it breached Nene’s constitutional rights and principles of justice.
“Our instructions are to demand an immediate retraction of the statement on the social media platforms used in its publication. Further to demand an immediate written apology also to be made public, failing which we shall approach the court of law for such relief. ln the event that you deny knowledge of the statement, our instructions are therefore to demand that you issue a media statement immediately on all social media platforms distancing yourself from the statement. Should you fail to do so we will assume that you are taking ownership of the statement of January 22 and we will continue as per our instructions.”
Acting regional spokesperson Lawrence Dube said they had received the lawyer’s letter.
“They are within their rights to question the decision taken by the regional executive. We cannot turn a blind eye when there is something that brings the region into disrepute. As for us as the region, we shall wait for the provincial leadership to rule on this and, as you may well remember, there is an ongoing disciplinary action against our fellow comrade. For that reason, I cannot comment further than to say all this is within the internal structures,” said Dube.
Daily News
Related Topics: