IOL News reports that Solidarity has launched legal action against Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, accusing her of defamation over her claims of the trade union spreading misinformation.
The Minister has been given seven days to withdraw a media statement made on 27 March and offer an unconditional apology to Solidarity for reputational damage. In a formal legal notice served on Ntshavheni, the union’s CEO Dirk Hermann demanded that Ntshavheni should apologise or face defamation charges. Failure to do so would result in the union pursuing more legal charges. The controversy began when Ntshavheni accused Solidarity and AfriForum of waging a "misinformation and disinformation campaign" during their joint visit to the US. Hermann described the accusations as absurd and part of a campaign to deflect attention from diplomatic relations between SA and the US. The situation escalated when Ntshavheni described Solidarity's actions as "treasonous" and a threat to national sovereignty. Law enforcement agencies are currently investigating treason charges against Solidarity and AfriForum based on Ntshavheni's allegations. Solidarity denounced Ntshavheni's statements, calling them an attempt to silence organisations that challenged prevailing state ideologies.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Mashudu Sadike at IOL News
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