The Durban High Court has ruled in favour of KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, ordering Durban businessman Calvin Mathibeli to retract defamatory statements made on social media. Mathibeli's claims suggested Mkhwanazi was influenced by private interests and involved in organised hits. The court also prohibited further repetition of the allegations and required payment of legal costs.
On Friday, the Durban High Court issued an order in response to an application by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The commissioner sought to interdict and restrain Durban businessman Calvin Mathibeli from continuing to defame him through social media posts. Mathibeli had alleged that Mkhwanazi was captured by private interests and implicated in organised hits.
The court's ruling requires Mathibeli to immediately withdraw all such statements from the platforms where they were posted. He must also publish retractions on the same social media channels. Furthermore, Mathibeli is barred from repeating these or similar allegations on any platform in the future.
In addition to these measures, Mathibeli has been ordered to cover Mkhwanazi's legal costs arising from the case. This decision underscores the court's stance against defamatory content targeting public officials. The matter highlights ongoing tensions involving public figures and social media accountability in South Africa.
