A defamation suit has been launched by Zululand mayor and traditional Zulu Prime Minister Thulasizwe Buthelezi against KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane, who allegedly accused him of soliciting sexual favours from married women.
Simelande was previously served with a letter demanding a retraction of the comments she had made during a Vryheid rally, failing which a R10m defamation lawsuit would be filed against her.
Buthelezi based his case on a video from the rally in which Simelane alleged he sought sex from married women, reports The Mercury.
Buthelezi said he was a candidate for the May elections on the IFP party list for the provincial legislature and Simelane’s “defamatory statement has a direct bearing” on his electability.
“Her statement was made with the intent of harming the plaintiff in his aforementioned positions as mayor, IFP provincial candidate, and prime minister of the Zulu nation,” said the court papers.
“Because of the defamation, he has been damaged in his reputation and suffered damages in the sum of R10 000 000.”
Simelane has 10 days to respond to Buthelezi’s summons.
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