Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s lawyers have threatened a senior AbaThembu royal family member with a R10-million defamation lawsuit if he does not issue a public apology over comments he reportedly made about her earlier this month.
Royal family spokesman Daludumo Mtirara was quoted by several media publications and on television as calling Madikizela-Mandela “greedy and opportunistic”.
This followed news that she had launched a court bid for former president Nelson Mandela’s Qunu home. It has been widely reported that Madikizela-Mandela recently made claims in her court application that the marriage certificate submitted to the court for the divorce proceedings from Mandela had been forged.
The Daily Dispatch is in possession of a copy of a letter of demand written by Madikizela-Mandela’s lawyer Mvuzo Notyesi on Monday demanding a public apology from Mtirara within 72 hours.
“The above utterances are defamatory to our client’s good reputation and good name, as they constitute libeling of our client.
“The statements were published in the whole world as you spoke on national television and national newspapers,” stated the letter.
“However, in view of the fact that these statements are appearing in newspapers, our client demands that you withdraw the statements and make an unconditional public apology within 72 hours, failing which we will proceed with a defamation claim for a sum of R10-million without further notice to yourself.”
The letter also advised Mtirara that he was liable for any costs of drawing up the letter of demand and other incidental expenses connected to the matter.
Notyesi told the Dispatch yesterday they would give Mtirara at least until Thursday to respond.
But when contacted yesterday Mtirara said he had not yet received the letter.
However he remained unfazed saying the royal family still wanted answers as to why Madikizela-Mandela was only coming forward now after Mandela’s will had already been executed.
“These are the questions that we as AmaDlomo want answered.
“Why did she wait so long? She should have raised this when Dalibhunga was still alive.”
Mtirara argued that he and AmaDlomo would never insult Madikizela-Mandela but stressed that the comments related to cultural aspects of AmaDlomo.
“What we are saying is that it is not her house, nor does it belong to Nosizwe because Evelyn’s children are buried there,” he added.
He said Madikizela-Mandela therefore had no claim to the house.
“She could only claim it on behalf of her son but they did not have a son.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
Winnie: apologise or cough up R10m
Royal family spokesman Daludumo Mtirara was quoted by several media publications and on television as calling Madikizela-Mandela “greedy and opportunistic”.
This followed news that she had launched a court bid for former president Nelson Mandela’s Qunu home. It has been widely reported that Madikizela-Mandela recently made claims in her court application that the marriage certificate submitted to the court for the divorce proceedings from Mandela had been forged.
The Daily Dispatch is in possession of a copy of a letter of demand written by Madikizela-Mandela’s lawyer Mvuzo Notyesi on Monday demanding a public apology from Mtirara within 72 hours.
“The above utterances are defamatory to our client’s good reputation and good name, as they constitute libeling of our client.
“The statements were published in the whole world as you spoke on national television and national newspapers,” stated the letter.
“However, in view of the fact that these statements are appearing in newspapers, our client demands that you withdraw the statements and make an unconditional public apology within 72 hours, failing which we will proceed with a defamation claim for a sum of R10-million without further notice to yourself.”
The letter also advised Mtirara that he was liable for any costs of drawing up the letter of demand and other incidental expenses connected to the matter.
Notyesi told the Dispatch yesterday they would give Mtirara at least until Thursday to respond.
But when contacted yesterday Mtirara said he had not yet received the letter.
However he remained unfazed saying the royal family still wanted answers as to why Madikizela-Mandela was only coming forward now after Mandela’s will had already been executed.
“These are the questions that we as AmaDlomo want answered.
“Why did she wait so long? She should have raised this when Dalibhunga was still alive.”
Mtirara argued that he and AmaDlomo would never insult Madikizela-Mandela but stressed that the comments related to cultural aspects of AmaDlomo.
“What we are saying is that it is not her house, nor does it belong to Nosizwe because Evelyn’s children are buried there,” he added.
He said Madikizela-Mandela therefore had no claim to the house.
“She could only claim it on behalf of her son but they did not have a son.” — sikhon@dispatch.co.za
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