Shivambu files papers in Equality Court
2011-04-13 14:14
Johannesburg - ANC Youth League spokesperson Floyd Shivambu has filed papers
with the Equality Court in response to a hate speech lawsuit brought against
him by Independent Newspapers journalist Carien Du Plessis.
This was in response to a court case that started in the Equality Court last
Tuesday in which Shivambu, is accused of hate speech for allegedly calling Du
Plessis "stupid" and a "white bitch" in text messages.
The Equality Court last week postponed the matter, setting April 13 as the
date for Shivambu's lawyers to file papers in response to the allegations.
The complaint dates back to May 18, 2010.
Du Plessis alleged that in an SMS exchange between herself and Shivambu, he
wrote: "You must learn to respect people. I don't comment on YCL [Young
Communist League] issues and please stop being stupid."
Personal attack
He also allegedly wrote: "I wouldn't want to earn respect from white
bitches... so dream on." The ANCYL launched a public personal attack on Du
Plessis last week.
In an e-mail to the entire media lists of the youth league and the African
National Congress, Du Plessis was described as a liar with
"tendencies", without saying what "tendencies" it meant.
Another ANCYL spokesperson, Magdalene Moonsamy, e-mailed the statement about
Du Plessis to media houses.
"The ANCYL is aware that such allegations are lies and false and confirmed
that at no stage has Cde Floyd Shivambu sent her such text messages. Those who
know Carien Du Plessis will be aware of her tendencies and that the allegations
that she apportions to Cde Floyd are indeed false and will soon be
exposed," said Moonsamy.
The ANCYL said the case against Shivambu was "once again agitation
through the media to spread lies against the leadership of the ANCYL".
Moonsamy, at the end of the statement about Du Plessis, adds: "We are
aware that the case is sub judice and that facts will be presented to the
Equality Court and hence, the ANCYL will not entertain the issue further until
it [is] before the Equality Court."
No comment
Du Plessis referred all queries to her lawyer Okyerebea Ampofo-Anti, who
said her client declined to comment on a public personal attack launched
against her by the ANCYL.
"My client prefers not to comment on the content of the media statement
issued by the ANCYL or the appropriateness of issuing such a statement.
"She stands by her complaint and looks forward to having the merits of
the case decided in the appropriate forum, which is the Equality Court,"
she said.
Du Plessis wants an order declaring that the labels allegedly applied to her
by Shivambu constituted hate speech, an order requiring him to issue an
unconditional written apology, payment of R100 000 damages and the costs of the
suit.
- SAPA
