The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, sitting on appeal, orders Emfuleni Municipality’s CFO to pay R100,000 and apologise to a colleague following defamatory WhatsApp messages.
The court finds that the messages accuse the manager of corruption, bullying and looting, and that the CFO characterises him using terms including “renowned bully” and “looter”. The ruling requires the payment of damages and a formal apology to the affected colleague. The case is addressed at appeal level, indicating that the decision follows earlier proceedings between the parties.
Across reporting, the focus remains on the court’s defamation determination and the specific language used in the WhatsApp exchanges. Sources agree on the core outcome—financial compensation and an apology—and on the nature of the allegations contained in the messages.
