Former finance minister Trevor Manuel and talk show host JJ Tabane
Gloves are off: Trevor Manuel threatens legal action against TV host
Political commentator Dr JJ Tabane claims ex-finance minister Trevor Manuel helped form the party COPE while still being an ANC NEC member
Former finance minister Trevor Manuel and talk show host JJ Tabane
Former finance minister Trevor Manuel has threatened to take legal action against political commentator, Dr JJ Tabane, over the shocking claim that he played a key role in the formation of Congress of the People (COPE).
During an episode of the podcast The Hustlers Corner, Tabane, who worked as COPE’s communications director, was asked about how the party was formed – and it wasn’t just Manuel he mentioned. Tabane said other senior ANC leaders at the time, including former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Kgalema Motlanthe, helped establish COPE in the lead-up to the 2009 elections.
COPE has since denied Tabane’s claims, while ANC NEC member Lindiwe Sisulu has asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate the allegations.
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MANUEL TO TABANE: ‘YOUR STATEMENT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE’
Trevor Manuel is apparently seething and wants Dr JJ Tabane to retract his comments. According to News24, Manuel addressed the TV host in a letter.
“Your statement is simply not true. You peddled this false narrative in the full knowledge of its falseness by virtue of, at least, your apparent involvement in the formation of Cope at the time,” he is quoted as having said.
Manuel goes on to remind Tabane that when COPE was formed, he was a member of the ANC NEC – therefore the claim impugns his dignity.
“In the circumstances, I hereby call upon you to unreservedly withdraw the false, wrongful and unlawful statements you made of and concerning me during the aforesaid interview and ensure that your apology is prominently published in the print and electronic format media. I also require you to apologise for the harm your unlawful conduct has caused and continues to cause me.”
Former finance minister Trevor Manuel
But Tabane, the host of the eNCA show Power to Truth, isn’t fazed by the threat of legal action and stands by what he said.
“I therefore stand by that answer and have no intention of withdrawing it or making any apology as demanded by you. If you choose to take legal action, I will defend it vigorously,” Tabane said in response.
