Fani Titi 'wants to paint me blacker than I am': Peter-Paul Ngwenya in k-word trial

Politically connected businessman Peter-Paul Ngwenya says the charges preferred against him are a fabrication to mask a commercial dispute between him and his former longtime friend Fani Titi.

Ngwenya‚ who spent almost five years in prison on Robben Island‚ is facing a charge of crimen injuria for allegedly using a racial slur towards Investec chairman Titi in a text message.

In the same SMS‚ Ngwenya told Aqeel Patel‚ the managing director of MRC Media, "You will bleed‚" and that Titi "will see his mother"‚ which Titi regarded as a threat to his life since Ngwenya knew his mother had died.

The conflict between Ngwenya and Titi‚ who had been friends for 20 years‚ stems from a multimillion-rand deal that went sour.

Ngwenya claims that Titi owes him close to R54m.

The relationship degenerated when Ngwenya allegedly called Free State-born Titi a "Qwaqwa k*ff*r" and a "Bantustan boss" in an SMS intended for Patel.

Ngwenya, who took the stand to defend his case on Tuesday, told the Randburg Magistrate's Court that he had regarded Titi as his "kid brother".

Wearing a grey suit with light blue shirt and blue tie, Ngwenya appeared calm, eloquently expressing himself.

He said he was introduced to Titi in 1995.

"I was invited to serve on the board of the Mail and Guardian. Fani [Titi] was also invited to serve on the same board," Ngwenya said.

Two years later, the two of then applied for a free to air television licence, Ngwenya said.

"He was my kid brother. I found him to be passionate about the same things I was passionate about. People even said we looked alike," said Ngwenya.

He said the case he is now facing comes as a result of a conflict between him and Titi. He said he found out in 2015 that Titi had not honoured the agreement they had entered into. Ngwenya accused his longtime friend of having stolen assets from him.

"A dispute over shareholding between ourselves resulted in verbal exchanges."

He said the charges he was facing were without merit.

"It's a fabrication to disguise a commercial dispute that exists between myself and Fani Titi.

"This is the conduct of a man who wants to paint me blacker than I am," Ngwenya said.