On 30 April 2026, The Citizen published an article titled 'Newzroom Afrika, African Mirror and Unisa slapped with R10m defamation lawsuit'. The article erroneously stated that damages of R10 million were sought from Newzroom Afrika. While Newzroom Afrika was cited as an interested party in the legal proceedings and specific relief was sought against them to remove broadcast material, they were not sued for financial damages. We have amended the article and hereby retract the statement that a R10 million monetary claim was facing Newzroom Afrika, and unconditionally apologise to Newzroom Afrika for the error.
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A former University of South Africa (Unisa) registrar has slapped a lecturer and the African Mirror with a R10 million defamation lawsuit over allegations of corruption, procurement irregularities and sexual harassment published nearly three years ago. Broadcaster Newzroom Afrika was cited as an interested party, but not included in the claim for monetary compensation.
In papers filed in the High Court in Pretoria, Prof Matoane Mothata says statements made by Unisa’s ethics lecturer, Mametlwi Sebei, during a Newzroom Afrika interview in June 2023 and later published by the African Mirror in an article titled “Unisa must be purged of corrupt elements if it is to survive” were false, malicious and defamatory.
Allegations said to have damaged reputation
He has also cited vice-chancellor Prof Puleng Lenkabula, Unisa itself, and others. He contends the statements made were defamatory and intended to portray him as dishonest, corrupt and unfit to hold senior academic office.
Mothata is seeking R3 million for alleged loss of earnings, R5 million for reputational harm and R2 million for emotional distress and aggravated damages from the primary defendants.
Legal demands include retractions and removal of material
In addition to an order for R10 million in damages sought against UNISA, African Mirror and their representatives, the plaintiff wants court-ordered removals of the publication’s article, a public apology and retraction. While Newzroom Afrika is described as “an interested party” only, the court has been asked to order their removal of broadcast material and digital archives containing the statements complained of.
According to court documents, letters of demand were sent to the respondents in February, requesting the removal of the material and apologies.
Sanelisiwe Mbatha, Sebei’s lawyer, said they only learnt of the lawsuit from The Citizen and this was despite having previously written a letter answering Mothata’s letter of demand and confirming they were his lawyers.
“It is unfortunate colleagues deal with [the] matter this way. It is the same counsel in the matter and has my details,” she said.
Rantao said they have referred the matter to their lawyers. Unisa had not responded by the time of publication.
*Note: This article has been amended to correct an error stating that damages of R10 million were sought from Newzroom Afrika. While Newzroom Afrika was cited and relief was sought against them to delete broadcast archives, they were not sued for financial damages. We apologise for this mistake.
