Court rules that claims that Mantashe pocketed R40m meant for former miners false & defamatory

JOHANNESBURG - The Johannesburg High Court has ruled on claims that Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe pocketed R40 million meant for former mineworkers, calling them false and defamatory.

The court delivered its judgment on Wednesday, interdicting activist, Zakhele Zuma, from repeating the allegations.

It outlined that it would decide on a later date how much Zuma was liable to pay in damages.

The case stems from allegations made on a series of TikTok videos and a public statement by Zuma.

In each instant, he accused Mantashe of stealing money allegedly paid to him in 1999 for workers at the East Rand Proprietary Mines.

The court found that Zuma statements was unfounded, malicious and damaging to Mantashe’s dignity and reputation.

Judge Janse van Nieuwenhuizen said that Zuma failed to provide proof that Mantashe received the funds and instead relied on unsubstantiated claims and rumours.

The court has declared the statements unlawful and ordered Zuma to stop making or publishing similar claims.

The judgment also noted that the allegations exposed Mantashe and his family to danger, humiliation and public threats.

A final decision on how much Zuma must pay in damages and the terms of a public apology will be determined after oral evidence is heard.