Mpumalanga MEC sues DA for defamation of character

Mpumalanga Social Development MEC Lindiwe Ntshalintshali is insisting the Democratic Alliance (DA) pay her R200 000 for defamation.

This follows a long court battle between herself and the DA along with former councillor in the eMalahleni Local Municipality, Naritha Naidu, during her tenure as the executive mayor in 2018.

The DA accused Ntshalintshali of flouting the Municipal Act and giving salary increases to former executives in the municipality, amounting to millions of rands.

After the DA failed to present evidence to back up the allegations, the Witbank Regional Court ruled in Ntshalintshali’s favour, ordering that the party pay R200 000, including costs.

She says there was no way she was going to let this lie.

“All the allegations and information that was circulated by the Democratic Alliance tarnishing my name in terms of paying senior managers salaries, was incorrect. They [have] circulated this information and discredited me. Hence the court granted me a relief that they should pay me about R200 000 with costs. We are trying to teach every political party that don’t circulate, tarnish [and] perpetuate allegations that are unfounded,” says Ntshalintshali.