The Eastern Cape leadership of the ANC, judges of the high court, a prominent local attorney and a wealthy Johannesburg businessman have all been drawn into the R631-million Amathole toilet saga.The contract to provide toilets was illegally awarded to the Siyenza Group last year (see report on page 5). The company’s Johannesburg attorney Themba Langa has accused prominent local attorney Dumisani Tabata, who represents the Amathole district municipality (ADM), of having “leaned on” two high court judges to get a favourable ruling on the controversial toilet case.
Tabata confirmed yesterday that he had issued summons for defamation against Langa but did not disclose how much he was claiming.
He said he was obliged to defend his own and the Smith Tabata corporate names.
Langa refused to discuss the matter when the Dispatch called him at his office, stating that his client had never received fair coverage from the newspaper.
Despite sending questions to Langa’s office 24 hours ahead of time, he said yesterday he could not “facilitate” the questions.
Sangoni said he had not taken the matter further after Langa wrote to him although he told the attorney that if circumstances warranted it, an application could be made for the assigned judge to recuse himself.
However, Sangoni said he was concerned that in his letter, Langa had not named any judges allegedly approached by Tabata.
Two sources have confirmed to the Dispatch that Xayiya has also issued summons against Langa for defamation. However, Xayiya could not be reached for comment yesterday.
In an e-mail yesterday, Langa made allegations against Dispatch staff, including that Xayiya “had some of the senior journalists of Daily Dispatch on his payroll”.
“It is transparently misleading and fraudulent for you to portray the matter to be between the two lawyers only.”
lSee also page 5
Tabata sues lawyer over Siyenza slur
The contract to provide toilets was illegally awarded to the Siyenza Group last year (see report on page 5). The company’s Johannesburg attorney Themba Langa has accused prominent local attorney Dumisani Tabata, who represents the Amathole district municipality (ADM), of having “leaned on” two high court judges to get a favourable ruling on the controversial toilet case.
Tabata confirmed yesterday that he had issued summons for defamation against Langa but did not disclose how much he was claiming.
He said he was obliged to defend his own and the Smith Tabata corporate names.
Langa refused to discuss the matter when the Dispatch called him at his office, stating that his client had never received fair coverage from the newspaper.
Despite sending questions to Langa’s office 24 hours ahead of time, he said yesterday he could not “facilitate” the questions.
Sangoni said he had not taken the matter further after Langa wrote to him although he told the attorney that if circumstances warranted it, an application could be made for the assigned judge to recuse himself.
However, Sangoni said he was concerned that in his letter, Langa had not named any judges allegedly approached by Tabata.
Two sources have confirmed to the Dispatch that Xayiya has also issued summons against Langa for defamation. However, Xayiya could not be reached for comment yesterday.
In an e-mail yesterday, Langa made allegations against Dispatch staff, including that Xayiya “had some of the senior journalists of Daily Dispatch on his payroll”.
“It is transparently misleading and fraudulent for you to portray the matter to be between the two lawyers only.”
lSee also page 5
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