IFP PRESIDENT TAKES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST PROTAS MADLALA & BUSINESS DAY

The IFP President Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP has instituted legal action against the Business Day, and independent political analyst Protas Madlala, following the publication of a libelous article about the IFP that appeared in the paper on 30 June 2010.

The article contained a wrongful and defamatory statement made by Mr Madlala, in which he attacked the integrity and character of Prince Buthelezi.

The IFP had initially issued a Letter of Demand to the paper and Mr Madlala appealing to them to withdraw the statement and issue an apology in place and manner as prominent as the defamatory article had initially appeared.

In addition, the IFP's legal representatives had requested that the Business Day remove the article from their website, and pay damages. The IFP had hoped at the time that the matter could be resolved amicably between the three parties.

However, despite the Demand the defendants have neither paid damages to Prince Buthelezi nor have they retracted the defamatory statements or apologized. They have also not removed the offending article from their website where the public is still able to access the article.

Mr Madlala's slanderous comments have caused Prince Buthelezi unnecessary harm. This has left the IFP President with no other option but to defend the IFP's and his own reputation through legal action.

Statement issued by Ms Liezl van der Merwe, Press Liaison Officer to IFP leader Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP, August 1 2011

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