Deputy President David Mabuza has welcomed the order of the Tshwane North Magistrate’s Court striking off the court roll the application for protection from harassment case brought against him by Jan Venter.
The Deputy President also welcomes the withdrawal in totality of the “baseless and vexatious” claims made against him by Venter.
“The Deputy President has always maintained that the case by Mr Venter, as well as the statements he made were untrue and aimed at peddling falsehoods.
“Mr Venter’s withdrawal of his statements comes after the City Press newspaper published a story on Sunday, 13 May 2018, in relation to this matter.
“In the unpublished response to the enquiry by the newspaper, the Deputy President expressed his disappointment that the newspaper would give credibility and legitimacy to statements that were clearly unfounded and malicious, believing as he does that this matter was yet another futile attempt to tarnish his name and character.
“The Deputy President had viewed the court application as an opportunity to vigorously contest the spurious allegations made and to lay to rest any doubt that this was merely a feeble attempt to besmirch his name and that of his office.
“Mr Jan Venter has proven himself to be an opportunist seeking attention with no regard for the truth," the Presidency said on Thursday.
Mabuza hopes that the decision by the court will serve as a reminder and deterrent that “no person should abuse the justice system with wild and unfounded allegations against another in the hope that it will make easy sensational reading in the media such as happened with the City Press”. – SAnews.gov.za
