Keetmanshoop
A Karasburg resident who is being sued for N$25 000 for defamation of character says he will defend his case, as he believes he has done nothing wrong.
Karasburg East Constituency Councillor Dennis Coetzee is suing Jacobus Basson for defamation of character over an article entitled “Favouritism mars allocation of business units”, which was published in New Era on April 29, 2015.
Basson is, however, adamant that he will not apologise nor pay the money, saying members of the public have the right to criticise office-bearers without intimidation or fear. “Does it mean that the rest of the community has to be afraid to speak out, because they will be sued?” he wanted to know.
After the article was published last year, Coetzee’s lawyers wrote to Basson requesting him to apologise in the same newspaper, which he failed to do, thus leading to the civil claim.
A letter issued to Basson by Coetzee’s lawyers, Lentin, Botma and Van Den Heever, of which New Era has seen a copy, indicates that in the article Basson is understood by the public to mean that the councillor is corrupt, acts in conflict of interest in his duties as councillor, has no moral fibre, is not worthy of holding the position of councillor and allocated business units to his friends.
The lawyers claim these allegations hurt the image and reputation of Coetzee, and note that Basson has refused to apologise and clear the councillor’s name, despite a written demand requesting him to retract and apologise for the alleged defamatory statements.
“As a result of the publication of the aforesaid report, [the] plaintiff was injured in his dignitas.” The lawyers purport that he suffered injury to his self-esteem and self-respect, was defamed in his reputation and suffered general damages in the amount of N$25 000”, reads the letter.
The letter further indicates that Basson has 15 days to inform the court whether he will defend the matter.