Former DA activist guilty of crimen injuria over Trollip bribe claims

Former Democratic Alliance (DA) activist Nontuthuzelo Jack was found guilty of making defamatory allegations against former Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Trollip. Picture / ANA

Former Democratic Alliance (DA) activist Nontuthuzelo Jack was found guilty of making defamatory allegations against former Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Trollip. Picture / ANA

Published Sep 28, 2018

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Port Elizabeth -  A former Democratic Alliance (DA) activist who accused former Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Trollip of offering her a bribe, was on Friday found guilty on charges of defamation and crimen injuria by the Port Elizabeth Magistrate’s Court.

Nontuthuzelo Jack, 47, from Tshwete Village, was convicted after she claimed that Trollip had offered her a bribe to “dig up dirt” on former DA provincial chairperson Veliswa Mvenya. Her claims were published in a local newspaper in the run-up to the municipal elections in 2016. 

Jack claimed that Trollip wanted her to testify in an internal party matter because "this of him losing cases was not favourable". 

Under cross-examination, the State put it to Jack that cell phone records showed that no calls were made between Trollip and Jack on the day she alleged a bribe took place. 

But Jack was adamant that Trollip called her three times on the morning of the alleged bribe. 

The court has found, Ms Jack guilty on both counts in the case of defamation and crimen injuria against me. The truth always prevails

— Athol Trollip (@AtholT) September 28, 2018

Following the court judgment, Trollip tweeted: "The truth always prevails." 

Jack is expected to be sentenced next Thursday. 

African News Agency (ANA)

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