State defends Kgosi P30m suit

The State, which last year failed to respond to a P30 million statutory notice from Kgosi for defamation of character now has its back against the wall as it is forced to defend the lawsuit and has thus filed a notice to defend. In its memorandum of appearance to defend, the Attorney General through S. Thapelo Attorneys has explained that the former spy chief’s summons should not be allowed as they lacked necessary averments to sustain a cause of action.

“The plaintiff’s summons is not acceptable for the reason that it does not disclose a cause of action against most of the defendants in that it lacks necessary averments to sustain a cause of action,” it reads. Moreover, according to State the statements complained about by Kgosi to be defamatory employed qualified immunity or privilege in that they were made in the course of legal proceedings and were relevant to the matter at issue.