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·      Defenders of the People president, Rufus Mphahlele, failed to prove defamatory allegations ·      Mphahlele spread inflammatory allegations in a Tik Tok video against Fetakgomo Tubatse mayor, Eddie Maile ·      The Polokwane High Court found that the utterances were harmful to Maile’s reputation

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Sizwe sama Yende

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A court has ordered small party politician to remove a Tik Tok video in which he made unsubstantiated and defamatory allegations against a mayor.

Rufus Mphahlele who is president of the Defenders of the People (DOP) – a party with a small constituencies in  Limpopo, Eastern Cape and Gauteng – failed to produce evidence in the Polokwane High Court to back up allegations he made against Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality (Burgersfort) executive mayor, Eddie Maile.

Mphahlele said, amongst many allegations, in a video posted in Dimakatso Manthata’s Tik Tok account that Maile stole funds, which were unlawfully invested in the defunct Venda Building Society (VBS) Mutual Bank.

The municipality did invest R230 million at VBS in 2018, but that was long before Maile became mayor. Then municipal manager, Johannes Mohlala, pleaded guilty to contravening the Municipal Finance Management Act in 2024 and was ordered to pay R100 000 to the VBS curator.

There has never been any link between Maile and the VBS investment.

The court suspended Mohlala’s prison term for five years on condition he did not commit a similar offence during this period.

Mphahlele also alleged that Maile:

·      Authorised payments on non-existing requests for quotations to unnamed companies with corrupt intentions;

·      And the municipality made a R20 million donation to an unlicenced entity;

·      Awarded tenders to municipal employees and engaged in nepotism

·      Accepted bribes from foreign nationals to operate illegal businesses and also accepted bribes from mining companies;

·      Built a house without a title deed and that he was stupid.

Manthata’s Tik Tok account has 33 000 followers and the video was viewed 87 000 times.

Mphahlele did not deny making the allegations. Despite insisting that his utterances were fact and political commentary, Mphahlele failed to provide proof before the court.

Acting judge of the Polokwane High Court, EJ Burnett, said in the judgement dated March 4 2026 that there was a difference between criticism and defamation.

“The utterances that were made about [Maile] were harmful to his reputation and self-esteem as a person,” Judge Burnett said.

“The allegations of corruption and underhandedness, without evidence, are especially damaging in the current political climate.”

The judge said that the interim interdict against Mphahlele would remain enforceable pending Maile’s decision to institute a damages claim against Mphahlele within 60 days of the issue of the order.

Manthata was cited as a second respondent but got off the hook because she was not served with papers.

DOP was formed in 2020 in Lebowakgomo in Limpopo. After participating in the 2021 local government elections, it won 4 seats in Lepelle-Nkumpi Local Municipality (Lebowakgomo), two in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro in the Eastern Cape, one in North-West and one seat apiece in the Sekhukhune and Capricorn municipalities in Limpopo.

Mphahlele’s position has been precarious after a disgruntled faction denounced him as president in 2023. The party is riddled with infighting.