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The axed president of the Advancement of Black Accountants in SA (Abasa), Mbusiswa Ngcobo, has threatened to sue the organisation’s leaders for R500 000 for allegedly lying to oust him.
Ngcobo was dismissed earlier this year by the organisation after it was alleged he manhandled a female colleague at a meeting at the Standard Bank Global Leadership Centre in Morningside in August last year.
Ngcobo, through his lawyer Rupert Candy, has written a letter of demand to the seven board members seeking R500 000 “in satisfaction of unquantifiable damage to his dignity and reputation” after the allegations of the manhandling were published on the organisation’s website, as well as in the media.
In the letter, which City Press has seen, Ngcobo demands, in addition to the money, that the board members apologise to him on both platforms.
Ngcobo said he opted to pursue the matter separately from the ongoing high court review of the decision that was made to remove him.
“The R500 000 relates to unquantifiable damages regarding the defamation allegations and the impending civil claim that I have chosen to pursue in my personal capacity against all the individuals involved in the efforts to defame me,” Ngcobo told City Press.
When asked why it had taken so long for Ngcobo to take action, he said he wanted to keep away from public platforms while pursuing other avenues to protect the image of the organisation and respect the wishes of the Abasa members who voted him on to the national executive in 2017.
“I did communicate this to Abasa members and my decision on how to handle this matter has always been respected. Legal processes are long in their nature, and that is why I am steadfast in taking the matter to its logical conclusion to avoid any mistakes and to respect the views of members,” he said.
In an letter responding to Ngcobo’s demands, Luyanda Gidini, Abasa’s secretary and one of those being threatened with the lawsuit, said the R500 000 would not be paid because they regarded the claim to be frivolous.
“Given the scourge of gender-based violence in the country, calling out a man in a position of authority for being implicated in such is a public interest matter on its own,” Gidini said.
“We would also like to categorically state that the R500 000 will not be paid as it is a frivolous claim with no legal or factual merit,” read part of the letter that Gidini wrote on behalf of the entire group.
The other members of the group are Jeridah Makgae, Robyn Vilakazi, Zokhanyo Pikashe, Moagi Mpshe, Sibusiso Nduna and Ashley Dicken, who has since taken over as acting president.
Gidini said the decision to oust Ngcobo was taken by a board resolution, which is under review by the high court.
He declined to answer further questions sent by City Press, including whether a criminal case was opened over the alleged manhandling.
“The board resolution taken to dismiss Mbusiswa Ngcobo from Abasa is subject to review in the high court and is pending possible litigation. Therefore, we are not in any position to comment on the matter at this juncture,” Gidini said.
Candy confirmed that the court papers for the lawsuit would be issued soon.
“The papers are being finalised by counsel and we should be in a position to issue it to the high court within the next few days,” Candy said.
About the court review application, Ngcobo said he was of the view that the issue of leadership should always be left to members.
“No single individual within Abasa should ever think they are above the membership, so I am respecting that.
“In due course, I will consult the membership as to whether they think I should resign or wait for the end of my term of office, which is in just under 12 months’ time.
“Even if certain members are aggrieved, as they are, by the factional behaviour of certain individuals, it will be important to allow them to decide on what should happen to my role at the organisation over the next 12 months. The members and their wishes and desires must be respected by all leaders,” Ngcobo said.
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