BEKSKOOT

CONTROVERSIAL Cape Town politician Mehmet Vefa Dag was giving a bekskoot for badmouthing Gayton McKenzie and his Patriotic Alliance deputy Kenny Kunene.  

Sports, Arts and Culture minister McKenzie and Kunne obtained an interim interdict against the Turkish-born founder of the Truth and Solidarity Movement in the Western Cape High Court.

Dag was prohibited from making further defamatory statements, such as alleging that Kunene and McKenzie orchestrated the murder of allleged Johannesburg underworld boss Farouk Meyer.

In a post from 22 September this year, Dag wrote: “The killings of Farouk Meyer were orchestrated by the perpetrators Gayton Mckenzie and Kenny Kunene. (sic)

“This case was suppressed with the support of ANC leaders, as Kenny Kunene and Gayton Mckenzie were business associates of Cat Matlala and Katiso Molefe.”

He added McKenzie’s son has bought the SuperSport United PSL franchise with ‘illict funds” before relocating the club to Bloemfontein. 

Kunene and McKenzie pursued the case due to what they call “a campaign of defamation that has harmed their reputation". 

Dag opposed the application but he had admitted that he was the author of the statements complained about.

He submitted, however, that the applicants do not have good reputations, and therefore, his statements did not infringe their right to a good name. In the alternative, he relied on truth and public interest, fair comment, and reasonable publication.

Acting Judge DJ Cooke found that certain, but not all, of the statements were defamatory. 

Dag contended that the interdict would gag a public advocate from commenting on matters of corruption and governance, effectively granting public officials a licence to operate without public scrutiny. He asserted that this would create a chilling effect that extends far beyond this case.

The applicants, on the other hand, emphasised that they are senior political figures who have sought to rebuild their lives after previously being incarcerated. Kunene and McKenzie pointed to the fact that they are successful businessmen, motivational speakers, and respectful members of the community.

The court meanwhile issued the interim interdict barring Dag from badmouthing the applicants, pending a further application which Kunene and McKenzie aim to launch against Dag, when the issues will be ventilated during a trial.