Mthembu considering legal action against Motsoeneng

Motsoeneng was part of a panel discussing state capture.

Mthembu has been highly critical of Motsoeneng's tenure at the SABC, describing his latest appointment as unlawful. Motsoeneng used the opportunity to lash out at the Chief Whip at a New Age Breakfast this morning, saying that Mthembu has some skeletons of his own.

"Jackson Mthembu should know that I met him at a certain hotel. Maybe it was capture, but no one can capture me. He knows that. That meeting was coordinated by someone," Motsoeneng said.

The office of the Chief Whip says it is disturbed by the defamatory allegations, which suggest improper motives on Mthembu regarding his articulation of the ANC Parliamentary Caucus's position on the challenges at the SABC.

"While Mr Motsoeneng's spurious utterances are laughable and unworthy of a serious response, they are nonetheless malicious and, if left unchallenged, might stand as a fact amongst some members of the public. The Chief Whip states for the record that he has never at any point held any meeting with Mr Motsoeneng, certainly not at any location, including the so-called 'captured hotel', as claimed by him. The Chief Whip also harbours no other interest regarding the SABC, including personal interests, other than those which are shared by the ANC - which is to ensure a functional, efficient and well-managed public broadcaster that executes its public service mandate and consistently inspires public confidence in its operations," says the office.

The Office of the Chief Whip says Mthembu has nothing to hide, and therefore Motsoeneng is challenged to publicly state whatever he threatened to disclose or else publicly withdraw his utterances.

"The Chief Whip has also engaged the services of a lawyer to advise if Mr Motsoeneng's public allegations are not in violation of his personal rights and if a legal recourse, including suing for defamation, cannot be sought. Further action will be announced in this regard."