Fikile Mbalula, secretary general of the ANC. (Photo: X)
Fikile Mbalula, the ANC’s secretary-general, is threatening urgent legal action to prevent AfriForum’s planned media conference on a dossier with allegations of corruption, money laundering and fraud.
In a lawyer’s letter sent to AfriForum on Tuesday, its legal representatives warn that the planned publication of the dossier could be defamatory and could damage its reputation.
AfriForum plans to publish a comprehensive dossier on Wednesday detailing alleged fraud, money laundering, corruption and other reckless actions of Mbalula. Adv. Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, will discuss the allegations and possible further action during the media conference.
Mbalula strongly denies the allegations and his lawyers say he has not been charged or prosecuted in connection with the allegations. They also warn that a public media conference about the allegations could potentially amount to defamation and harm legal processes.
Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum. (Photo: Elisma van der Watt/ Maroela Media)
Mbalula demands that the media conference be canceled and that the relevant communication be withdrawn immediately. If AfriForum does not comply with this, its legal representatives will request an urgent court order which may include, among other things, an interdict, damages for damage to reputation and a public retraction and apology.
However, AfriForum says they will not back down. Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, says the organization will continue with the media conference and the publication of the dossier.
“We are going full steam ahead and will not be intimidated,” says Kriel.