Sisulu to sue union boss

Defence Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has threatened to take legal action against South African National Defence Union organiser, Jeff Dubazana, after he allegedly called her a liar, the ministry said statement on Friday.

“Mr Dubazana seems to enjoy insulting the minister whenever he gets the opportunity to do so ... it is for this reason we seek to communicate to him that he has no licence to insult the minister and the leadership of the SANDF,” said Sisulu’s spokesperson, Ndivhuwo Mabaya, in a statement.

The minister served legal documents on Dubazana after he allegedly called her a liar during an interview on Radio 702.

Dubazana on Friday confirmed receipt of the documents.

He said the minister wanted him to apologise publicly for his remarks.

“To be honest, I’m not even sure that I know what she wants me to apologise for,” he said.

“I know its from the 702 interview… but I don’t know the context.

“Its interesting, she is using my own tax money to threaten to sue me and to silence me.”

He said he was home with the flu and would return to the office next week and deal with the matter.

The relationship between the minister and the defence unions has been tumultuous, particularly after a violent protest march of SANDF members in Pretoria over wages in 2009 shortly after Sisulu was sworn into office.—Sapa