Malema’s lawyers give Zille deadline to retract Joburg claims

Julius Malema’s lawyers have demanded that Helen Zille retract allegations about his influence over Johannesburg municipal decisions, apologise publicly and promise not to repeat them by close of business on November 11, threatening further legal action if she does not comply.

The demand was set out in a letter dated November 9 from England Slabbert Attorneys. The lawyers said Zille’s remarks were false and defamatory and portrayed Malema as using political influence for personal benefit. They said they had instructions to pursue further legal action, potentially including a damages claim and an interdict to prevent further publication.

Zille made the allegations during an eNCA interview on November 8 about former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba and possible coalition arrangements. She said Mashaba had allowed Malema to influence major city decisions, including the municipal fleet tender and City Power, and alleged that Malema directed the appointment of Shadrack Sibiya to lead the city’s anticorruption unit.

Malema’s lawyers said the statements were presented as allegations of fact without a basis. They demanded a public retraction and apology, a press statement and a written...