The South Gauteng High Court has dismissed an EFF application for leave to appeal a defamation ruling in a case brought against them by Trevor Manuel.
In late May Judge Elias Matojane had ordered the EFF to apologise to Manuel after Manuel sued the party for alleging in a statement that he was a business associate of and related to new SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter. He also awarded the former finance minister R500 000 in general damages.
The EFF, in a statement, had described Manuel’s involvement in Kieswetter’s selection process as “nepotistic” and “corrupt”. Manuel was the head of a selection panel, appointed by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, tasked with interviewing candidates for the top job in the revenue service. The panel made recommendations but did not make the final decision.
‘Lack the prospect of success’
On Tuesday Matojane ruled that the EFF’s grounds for appeal lacked the prospect of success. Motojane also ruled that the award of R500 000 in general damages was “reasonable under the circumstances”.
“The application for leave to appeal is dismissed with costs, including the costs of two counsel,” he wrote.
Source: News24.com
