Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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Defamation cases generally end in embarrassment for all the parties involved, and that certainly proved to be the case for President Jacob Zuma. We heard the huge impressive stories, many years ago, as to the millions he would be suing Zapiro for over some of his cartoons and last week he backed down and reduced the claim to R100 000,00 and demanded an apology.
When the Sunday Times and Zapiro refused to give him that apology, he dropped his case altogether and agreed to pay their legal costs. They congratulated him, as I guess the winning team must do, in showing good sportsmanship for recognising that in South Africa the President can be criticised, but it is a terrible embarrassment for him and whoever advised him to bring this legal action to have had such a high profile case in the media for so many years end like such a damp squib. You make such a song and dance about the millions you are going to be suing for, and then you withdraw your case and pay the other side’s legal costs while pretending you did it all in the interests of media freedom. Best not to waste time with defamation cases most of the time.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Monday 05-Nov-12
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Comments
liesl said:
on Thursday 08-Nov-12 03:30 PM
I don't think anyone can do more damage to his reputation than what he has done all by himself...
moenisha said:
on Wednesday 07-Nov-12 09:16 AM
The above say's it all.
Robyn said:
on Wednesday 07-Nov-12 07:21 AM
I'd like to know who gave Zuma advice to proceed with the case.
Lucretia said:
on Tuesday 06-Nov-12 02:34 PM
Oh boy, now who is going to pay for the upgrade to his house? Certainly not the money he was hoping to get...... Mmmm the plot thickens.
Lourien said:
on Tuesday 06-Nov-12 02:33 PM
Freedom of speech is needed, and as they say ”the truth will always come out" just not in favour of Zuma...
Helen said:
on Monday 05-Nov-12 01:08 PM
Very interesting Blog!
I believe Zuma was lost in his actions, and not to make public against him he had to drop the case.
zandra said:
on Monday 05-Nov-12 12:33 PM
wow what a president?
Kaylene said:
on Monday 05-Nov-12 12:08 PM
One can only imagine the amount to money that was wasted in the first place by taking the cases on, and now he will be paying their legal fees as well. I guess everyone knows that it will be with the tax payers money
cherise said:
on Monday 05-Nov-12 10:25 AM
I am so glad that he realises what an idiot he is. People have freedom of choice , speech etc and the fact that he wanted to sue for certain point of view that is caused by his actions he is a foolish man.
Glad it ended the way it did.
Alexis said:
on Monday 05-Nov-12 07:43 AM
Wow, that is embarrissing, however there is a reason it is called 'freedom of Speech' well in this case drawing of speech. Zapiro just prortrays the truth and if you do not like it, change your ways as to not be ridiculed etc. Big ups
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
