KZN top cop Mkhwanazi secures interim interdict to prevent businessman from defaming him

KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has secured an interdict to prevent businessman Calvin Mojalefa Mathibeli from defaming him. KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner,Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi,has obtained an interdict in the Durban High Court to preventbusinessman Calvin Mojalefa Mathibeli from publishing, repeating or disseminating defamatory statements about him. This week, Mkhwanazi had brought an urgent application in the Durban High Court seeking tointerdict Mathibeli from making further damning allegations against him on public platforms, including in the media.

The court heard that Mathibeli was making absurd claims that Mkhwanazi was leading a corrupt police structure that was targeting his business and that his assassination had been ordered. He stated: “I respectfully submit that all the statements made by me are substantially true and that the publications are within the public interest, especially because Mkhwanazi is a public official. The statements are my honest opinion, based on facts.” However, Mkhwanazi said that the businessman’s affidavit was characterised by unsubstantiated claims and evasive responses that would not assist the court in determining the issues in dispute.