Kgoroba refuses to apologise to Ntsima
Former Member of Parliament for Mogoditshane, Sedirwa Kgoroba has given Minister Tiroeaone Ntsima’s lawyers a middle finger and refused to apologise as ordered.
The Minister of Trade and Entrepreneurship through his lawyers, Butale Corporation wrote a letter to Kgoroba demanding that he pull down a video he posted on social media speaking about the Minister’s accommodation, alleging that he stays in a hotel that cost the government P50 000 plus a month.
In the video, Kgoroba said that Ntsima has been staying in the said hotel for 12 months and refuses to vacate the hotel and occupy a ministerial residence allocated to him because he awaits the arrival of furniture from abroad.
Ntsima’s lawyers are demanding that Kgoroba should cease and desist from making any further defamatory statements concerning him.
“You must publish a public apology through the media in order to be approved by Ntsima, retract your false statements and provide a written undertaking that you will refrain from any further defamatory actions or statements concerning our client,” reads the letter in part.
They further warned that failure to comply with these demands within five days of receipt of the letter will result in them pursuing legal action against him without further notice.
“Such action will include filing a claim for defamation, seeking substantial damages for the harm caused and holding you liable for all associated legal costs,” they added.
The concern by Ntsima’s lawyers is that the video by Kgoroba did not only identify their client by name but also falsely implied that he is engaged in wastage or egregious dissipation of public funds particularly given the current financial climate.
They said that the content of Kgoroba’s broadcast is unambiguous to any objective listener, unequivocally imputing serious moral depravity, impropriety and misfeasance to their client.
They added that their client is a Member of parliament and cabinet, an office of considerable status in the conduct of the affairs of the nation and that the constituents look to him for leadership in national affairs.
“The statements you have made against our client whilst holding such office significantly lower him in the esteem of right thinking people. You have maliciously and recklessly tarnished the reputation of a man who is widely known and respected for his upright character and commitment to moral leadership.”
However, Kgoroba took to social media saying it attempted intimidation. When contacted by this publication for further comment, Kgoroba said that he was not going to respond further than that and that if Ntsima’s lawyers wish to take him to court they should do so.
