NMB Councillors Clash: R800 000 Defamation Suit Looms

The political climate within the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) municipality is heating up as two prominent councillors prepare for a legal showdown. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) regional chairperson in Gqeberha, Khanya Ngqisha, is mounting an R800,000 defamation lawsuit against GOOD party councillor Lawrence Troon.

The tensions come in the wake of "defamatory" remarks allegedly made by Councillor Troon during a television interview where he accused Ngqisha of soliciting a R1 million bribe to influence council decisions. The conflict has quickly moved from heated words to potential legal action, as the EFF released a statement highlighting Troon's claims that Ngqisha had accepted a bribe. Troon augmented this stance with a Facebook post to further disseminate the allegations, tagging approximately 98 people, framing it as a fact.

Reacting firmly to these allegations, Ngqisha expressed his intention to clear his name through the courts by not only seeking financial compensation but also demanding a public apology from Troon, to mirror the public nature of the original claims. He vocalized his determination to set a precedent against unfounded defamation.

Ironically, instead of retracting his statements, Councillor Troon intensified his actions by registering two cases of fraud with the Humewood police station. These cases, according to Troon, relate both to the alleged bribe and payments wrongfully made through the Extended Public Works Programme to supposed EFF-affiliated students.

Amidst the brewing storm of legal confrontation, Troon indicated that he was unaware of any official lawyer's letter as he claimed to have only seen the charges levied against him on social media, and not received personal delivery.

In a television interview that Troon referenced, he pointed out that Ngqisha had not countered his bribery allegations but instead had belittled him. Troon did not mince words when expressing confidence about exposing what he believes is Ngqisha's true character.

Both councillors' actions herald a rocky path ahead for NMB politics as accusations fly and the battle lines are drawn, not just in the court of public opinion, but in the actual courts as well.

The forthcoming lawsuit encapsulates the broader challenges of governance in Gqeberha, as public representatives lock horns in an environment where trust and integrity are crucial. The courts will now potentially serve as a battleground where political reputations are both defended and scrutinized, with the outcomes likely having significant implications for both the accused and the accuser.

This case holds the potential not just to affect the careers of those directly involved but also to set a tone for political conduct in municipal settings, reiterating the weight of words and the critical nature of evidence and due process.

With both councillors standing their ground, and Ngqisha ready to "teach a lesson", this litigation may be a pivotal moment for transparency, accountability, and legal proceedings within South African politics, particularly within the EFF and GOOD party dynamics.