Johannesburg – Prominent businessman Ze Nxumalo is escalating his legal battle against entertainment commentator Musa Khawula, seeking a warrant for Khawula’s arrest.
City Press has confirmed that Nxumalo filed an application for a warrant of arrest at the Randburg Magistrates' Court on October 21st. This follows Khawula’s refusal to apologise for damaging statements made earlier this month on the social media platform X.
Khawula further alleged that Nxumalo is a fraudster. These allegations prompted Nxumalo’s legal team to issue a letter of demand to Khawula, demanding an apology and immediate retraction of the statements.
The letter, a copy of which has been reviewed by the news crew, strongly condemns Khawula's actions.
It reads: "You were purposefully misleading the members of the public by stating that Mr Nxumalo has had multiple extramarital affairs, thus cheating on his wife, Dr Green Nxumalo, with another woman, including with a Ms Mokoena."
The letter goes on to make further serious accusations against Khawula, stating: "Dr Green Nxumalo has directly or indirectly solicited the assistance of his friends to send fake e-wallets to stop you from disclosing Mr Nxumalo’s purported extra-marital affairs."
The letter gave Khawula a two-day deadline to comply or face legal action. It concludes with a firm warning: "Take note that, should our client be forced to institute legal proceedings against you, a copy of this letter together with your response will be used in support of the same. There will thus be no doubt you have been made aware of the unlawfulness of your posts and your conduct, as well as the legal basis of your clients demands and your obligations to adhere."
This is not the first time Khawula has faced legal repercussions for his online activity. In July, a Johannesburg High Court, presided over by Acting Judge Karen Beyers, sentenced him to 90 days imprisonment for contempt of court. This followed his refusal to apologise for spreading false allegations of corruption against Nozuko Mbalula, wife of ANC general secretary Fikile Mbalula.
The court case stemmed from Khawula’s repeated assertions on X that Nozuko Mbalula had paid a person identified as Nomthandazo Masupye to secure lucrative government tenders worth R150 million between 2013 and 2019. His persistent refusal to retract these statements and offer an apology resulted in the court's decision. The 30th July ruling underscores the serious legal consequences that can arise from the dissemination of false and defamatory information online.
