North West premier Supra Mahumapelo has taken the Democratic Party's provincial leader Joe Mc Gluwa to court for what he says are defamatory statements.
The premier said this‚ while answering questions posed to him on Thursday in the North West legislature. “I am going to come after you‚ until I get you where I want you. Because it has been long and I have been patient with all the bitter things that you have been saying about me‚” Mahumapelo told Mc Gluwa.
A letter from Obakeng Kgomo of Kgomo Attorneys‚ dated January 15‚ 2017‚ said that Mc Gluwa had in December 2016 made statements to the media alleging that the premier had made unilateral decisions to blow millions on a private jet.
The letter says Mc Gluwa alleged that Mahumapelo used community projects to canvass support for the ANC and that his open affiliation with the Guptas makes him untrustworthy.
It said Mc Gluwa had said Mahumapelo was more concerned with protecting president Jacob Zuma and campaigning for the next president of the ANC than delivering as the premier. According to the letter‚ the decision to buy the private jet was not Mahumapelo's but the provincial executive committee's.
Mahumapelo the allegations have damaged his reputation in that he is now no longer regarded as deserving of the respect that was accorded to him.
- TMG Digital/SowetanLIVE
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