Patrice Motsepe sues Botswana newspaper for defamation

Mining magnate Patrice Motsepe is suing a Botswana newspaper for R6.8m for a story it published that claimed he was funding politicians in that country.

Motsepe filed a defamation lawsuit against the Sunday Standard of Botswana based on the article published on April 1.

The publication claimed that Botswana police were allegedly investigating Motsepe and a number of security companies over an alleged plan to smuggle campaign money to that country. The newspaper also claimed Motsepe had allegedly donated R22m to one politician's campaign.

“What I can say to you is there is a defamation lawsuit against [the story]. It has been lodged with the court in Botswana. [The newspaper] hase done a retraction to the story. The other stuff I cannot give details on that,” said Sizwe Nzimande, of the Motsepe Group.

He added that Motsepe was unhappy despite the publication of a retraction.

Motsepe's lawyers also demanded that the Sunday Standard remove the offending statement from its website. They want the newspaper to pay for the cost of the lawsuit at the Botswana court.

In April, Motsepe wrote to Black First Land First leader Andile Mngxitama threatening to take legal action against his party. Mngxitama had accused businessperson Bridget Radebe, who is Motsepe's sister, of underhanded political and business dealings in Botswana. Mngxitama also alleged that Motsepe was involved.

On April 17, Radebe and her associate, businessperson Malcolm X, had their visa-free entry to Botswana revoked. There were no reasons given for this.

Motsepe took issue with Mngxitama's allegations that his sister had ambitions to take over the diamond industry in Botswana, and that he had been involved in a coup plot in the country.

Yesterday, Nzimande confirmed that Motsepe has already filed papers against Mngxitama and his party regarding the accusations.

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