By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former finance minister Trevor Manuel wants the courts to order broadcasters JJ Tabane and Sbusiso ‘Dj Sbu’ Leope to pay him R100,000 in damages.
Manuel filed an urgent application, dated 18 May, in the Gauteng High Court to force Tabane to retract and apologise for his comments.
Sbusiso Leope, better known as DJ Sbu and host of The Hustler’s Corner SA podcast, was cited as the second respondent.
Manuel also wants the court to rule that a retraction and an apology be displayed on all the podcast’s pages and social media accounts.
On 15 April 2022, Tabane appeared on an episode of The Hustlers Corner SA during which he alleged that Manuel was involved in the formation of Cope.
In his founding affidavit, Manuel said he was not in any way involved in Cope’s formation.
He said: I have never been a member of Cope, never wanted to be member, and never supported the party.
He also said when Cope was formed in 2008, he was the finance minister and a member of the ANC’s national executive committee.
“Any involvement by me in Cope would have constituted misconduct under clause 25.17.13 of the ANC’s constitution, which states that ‘joining or supporting a political organisation or party, other than an organisation in alliance with the ANC, in a manner contrary to the aims, objectives and policy of the ANC shall constitute misconduct in respect of which disciplinary proceedings may be invoked and instituted’,” he said.
Previously, Manuel confronted Tabane regarding his interview on the podcast that was aired on YouTube last month, informing him that he had until the close of business on Wednesday, 11 May, to retract the “falsehoods”.
Should the court rule in favour of Manuel, the court order will demand that both Tabane and Leope publish apologies and retractions regarding the Cope statements on all websites and social media platforms under their control. The apologies must remain up for at least five business days, according to Wednesday’s notice of motion.
Meanwhile, Tabane has confirmed he intends to oppose the motion.