Legal letter demands apology from former Durbanville CPF executive members

A legal letter has been issued to the former executive committee members of the Durbanville Community Police Forum (CPF), demanding an apology for “false, malicious, and defamatory” remarks made in their resignation statement, which was posted on social media. 

The seven-member committee concluded its term of office on Tuesday, September 30, following its resignations, citing difficulties in collaborating with the Durbanville police station commander, Colonel Gonum Munsamy.

In a formal letter addressed to the former CPF chairperson, Louie Storm, and others, Advocate Abdul-Aziez Cassiem said that the statements contained in the resignation were "patently false, unsubstantiated, and defamatory," and have consequently caused damage to the reputation of Colonel Munsamy.

“They constitute a violation of our client's right to dignity and reputation as protected under Section 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996,” the letter read, which is dated Monday, October 27.

He stated that the allegations had the potential to undermine the relationship between the Durbanville police and the community, which could adversely affect crime-fighting efforts.

Some of the remarks contained in the resignation statement of the former executive committee alleged that Colonel Munsamy refused to meet with Fisantekraal residents to discuss their concerns, and that she had referred to them as "people who think they can have special privileges," that they are "self-entitled," "spoilt," and that she will "halt actions to address any query or complaints regarding Durbanville police."

Advocate Cassiem has now demanded that the former executive committee retract these statements, issue a written apology in seven days, and publish the apology to Northern News and other publications that published articles about the matter.

If these demands were not complied with, he committed to seeking relief from the Western Cape High Court, including an interdict restraining further publication, a claim for general damages arising from defamation and impairment of dignity, and a cost order on an attorney-and-client basis.

Mr Storm said that they were awaiting feedback from Colonel Munsamy regarding the alleged inaccuracies in their resignation statement, as they were unaware of what specifically was untrue.

Advocate Cassiem told Northern News he was not in a position to comment at this stage, and Colonel Munsamy declined to comment.

The Western Cape Provincial CPF Board has accepted the former executive committee's resignation. The spokesperson, Rafique Foflonker, told Northern News that an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the resignation found no wrongdoing. A new committee will be elected in due course.