10/06/2020 11:47:31
Picture: OUTA
More legal woes loading for Myeni
The Zondo Commission is investigating “matters related to” Dudu Myeni, and requested a copy of the transcript of Myeni’s testimony during her delinquency trial in the North Gauteng High Court. The commission also wants a full copy of Myeni’s application in October to postpone the hearing. According to the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA), who brought the application against Myeni with the South African Airways Pilot’s Association (SAAPA), this request just adds to the legal woes the beleaguered former SAA board chairperson, who was declared a delinquent director for life on the 27th of May, is facing.
In her 114-page judgment, Judge Ronel Tolmay also ordered that the judgment, as well as evidence led during proceedings, be referred to the National Prosecuting Authority for investigation for possible criminal conduct.
Myeni has not yet launched a formal appeal against the delinquency declaration and the court’s cost order for the trial as well as the two interlocutory applications.
In addition, she must find a new attorney if she wants to continue with her defamation case against OUTA, since Daniel Mantsha announced on the 28th of May that he has withdrawn as her attorney on record.
The High Court judgement means that Myeni has to vacate her position as director on the boards of Centlec, the state-owned utility that supplies power to several municipalities (including Mangaung metro) and the Jacob Zuma Foundation. Myeni is the deputy chairperson of Centlec, and the executive chairperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation. Advocate Stefanie Fick, OUTA’s chief legal officer, says the organisation wrote to the Foundation as well as Centlec and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) to ensure that Myeni resigns from all directorships as per the judgement.
“We also laid criminal charges against Ms Myeni and handed evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in October 2019 already. OUTA also laid a complaint against Ms Myeni with the Investigating Directorate, a special unit within the NPA, asking them to investigate the issue."
Adv Fick says that they have not had any feedback on the defamation case Myeni lodged against OUTA. “The defence to defamation is the truth. In light of the High Court judgement, we believe we have been vindicated and that there are no grounds for a defamation case. But if Ms Myeni insists to carry on with the defamation case, we will defend it in court.”