Durban - Zululand anti-corruption activist Lindo Xulu has challenged the Zululand District Municipality mayor Thulasizwe Buthelezi to take him to court over the allegations of corruption he had levelled against him.
Xulu’s legal team has written to the mayor’s lawyers challenging them to meet in court for accusing the mayor of corruption.
In the letter seen by the Daily News, which was addressed to mayor’s lawyers Garlicke& Bousfield by Xulu’s team Maphike Attorneys Inc, it said: “Our client denies that he has made any defamatory statements against your clients. Our client is prepared to defend any statements or utterances attributed to him and to the extent your client commences any frivolous and ill-advised action, to defend such and recover costs associated therewith on a punitive scale. If your client believes he has a lawful and valid claim he is more than welcome to serve papers on our client who intends to defend such to the extent necessary.”
Xulu confirmed that his lawyers had written to the mayor’s legal team, saying he was responding to their earlier letter they wrote to him demanding that he removes or retracts allegations of corruption he made against the mayor.
He said he stands by his claim that there is corruption in Zululand and has asked the mayor to meet him in court.
“I'm not backing down. That is why I have instructed my lawyers to respond to the mayor’s legal team challenging them to serve us with court papers,” said Xulu.
Municipality spokesperson Zanele Mthethwa said the municipality was no longer commenting on the matter.
Xulu has been leading a campaign for the mayor’s removal from office, accusing him of rampant corruption.
Buthelezi and Xulu have been at loggerheads since last year after the mayor hosted a business breakfast in Durban in an attempt to woo business to Zululand, which Xulu alleged that it carried a price tag of R5 million. At that time, Buthelezi rubbished the figure.
Buthelezi previously said: “These are the figures. Venue cost: R71 000 excl VAT and consists of round tables, chairs, table cloths, AV pack, venue screen, projectors, seamless scaler/switcher, laptop, PA system, line microphone, PC sound and technician, roving mics, parking, food, and beverages: R46 200 excl VAT. NB: These costs cater to 100 people. Subtotal excl VAT R117 200. Subtotal incl VAT R134 780.”
Xulu is accusing Buthelezi of squandering R240m on security for himself and his wife. Buthelezi has dismissed their accusations, saying it was a smear campaign, and said he was not involved in financial matters as the mayor. At the time, Mthethwa said the municipality was not at liberty to comment on such allegations.
In response to Xulu’s crusade, Buthelezi threatened him with a lawsuit if he did not stop spreading unfounded accusations against him.
Two weeks ago, the mayor’s lawyer slapped Xulu with a letter of demand to remove all posts on social media accusing the mayor of corruption or face court action. He was given a 24-hour deadline to remove the posts, but he ignored the demand and instead, challenged the mayor to go to court.
Their war has also attracted the Public Protector’s office, which last week confirmed that it has started looking into allegations of corruption against the mayor.
Daily News