LontohCoal to sue reporter and Naspers for millions

LontohCoal has filed a R112 million lawsuit in the Southern Gauteng High Court and a R9.3 billion lawsuit in the state of New York against former City Press reporter, Mpho Sibanyoni and Naspers respectively.

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The suits arise from three articles were published during 29 January 2012 - 29 April 2012 in City Press and the Naspers internet media platforms.

The company alleges the stories, 'The ANC bigwigs and business guru duped', 'LontohCoal blows investors' millions - money used to pay for flights, hotels, interior designs' and 'LontohCoal reneges on coal pact', caused it reputational damage and financial losses.

The company maintains that these articles are false and malicious and that Sibanyoni wrongfully and intentionally misrepresented the facts, which directly resulted in the company suffering damages. It also submits that Sibanyoni acted in breach of the South African Press Code by distorting, exaggerating and misrepresenting the facts.

It is the view of the board of directors of LontohCoal that these are significant and necessary steps towards seeking redress against Sibanyoni and Naspers for the harm suffered because of the publication of the defamatory articles.