R20m political mud fight to test limits of online speech

The Mbombela High Court will host a politically charged legal showdown next year between former Mpumalanga education MEC Landulile “Cathy” Dlamini and EFF provincial leader Collen Sedibe, which he can ill afford to lose.

- By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

Former Mpumalanga education MEC Cathy Dlamini says she has had enough of social media attacks from EFF provincial leader Collen Sedibe.. / x

The Mpumalanga ANC heavyweight has filed a defamation lawsuit against her outspoken opponent for comments the latter posted to social media.

She is claiming R20-million from Sedibe for publishing false and damaging statements about her on his personal Facebook and X accounts.

In her founding affidavit, Dlamini alleged that in a series of online posts, Sedibe accused her of taking bribes, interfering in tender awards and orchestrating corrupt dealings in the department she led. He even claimed that she had pocketed millions from service providers.

Dlamini argues that the posts were personal attacks disguised as political commentary, saying they stripped her of dignity and humiliated her before the public.