Former finance minister Trevor Manuel has asked the High Court to declare the EFF’s statement on the appointment of SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter defamatory.
The EFF claims he had a corrupt relationship with Kieswetter and that the SARS appointment process, which Manuel chaired, was compromised.
Manuel’s lawyers argued in court today that his reputation would continue to suffer if the party is not ordered to withdraw the statement and apologise.
The EFF is yet to state its defence and the case will continue on Wednesday.
Manuel is suing the EFF, its leader Julius Malema and its spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, for R500,000 for general damages after the opposition party issued a statement on March 27 accusing the Old Mutual chair of nepotism and corruption.
They alleged that he had influenced the appointment of a relative, new SA Revenue Service (Sars) commissioner Edward Kieswetter.
Manuel was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to head a panel that sought to find a new Sars commissioner after the dismissal of Tom Moyane.
You might also like…Watch: Cash in transit robbery in Laudium
SBV security services have confirmed a cash in transit robbery on one of their vans in Laudium in Tshwane. The heist took place outside a Standard Bank branch.
Gunmen surrounded four SBV guards and locked them inside the van….Read more here
Source: eNCA
