Unisa victorious in high-profile defamation cases against critics

The University of South Africa(Unisa) has welcomed a series of High Court judgments handed down against three individuals accused of spreading defamatory statements about the institution and its leadership. In a media statement approved for public release on Wednesday, Unisa said it had successfully obtained court orders against Mogaila Mogashoa, Mandisa Mashego and Simamkele Xani in separate applications. According to the university, Mogashoa repeatedly made false and damaging claims about Unisa and its management, including its Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula.

Among the allegations were claims that Unisa was a “cooldrink place” and that LenkaBula was illicitly moving money to Lesotho. The university approached the court for a defamation order and successfully obtained an interdict restraining Mogashoa from continuing to publish or spread the claims. However, Unisa said Mogashoa defied the court order by persisting with further defamatory statements.

As a result, the court has now issued a warrant for his arrest for contempt of court. In a separate matter, the Johannesburg High Court found Mandisa Mashego guilty of defamation after she made what the university described as “unjustified and unsubstantiated” claims. Mashego alleged that Unisa was under investigation for fake degrees, exam impersonation, running classes irregularly and corruption, among other accusations.

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The court ruled in favour of the university, ordering Mashego to pay R550,000 in damages. Interest on the amount will accrue at the prescribed legal rate from the date of demand until final payment. The most extensive ruling relates to former Unisa student Simamkele Xani, who has been embroiled in ongoing legal battles with the institution since 2021.

Unisa said Xani previously attacked fellow students and staff members, including LenkaBula, prompting the university to seek an interdict. A final interdict was granted by the North Gauteng High Court in November 2024, barring him from publishing false or misleading information about the university and its leadership. Despite this, Xani allegedly launched further attacks in November 2025, including defamatory statements directed at Unisa’s council, management and other public figures, purportedly under the name of Sebako Attorneys.

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