Parks Board sued for defamation
An Eastern Cape environmental agency has launched a defamation suit against the Eastern Cape Parks Board after its CEO disputed the organisation's policies on the wildlife programme 50/50 in November 2007.
A Daily Dispatch report says Dr Bool Smuts - on behalf of the Landmark Foundation and its trustees - is suing the Eastern Cape Parks Board and CEO Nokulunga Maswana for nearly R500 000. When interviewed by the 50/50 presenter, Maswana said: 'As long as Smuts continues to adopt approaches that are not in line with the policies of this country, that are not in line with the policies of conservation, that are not pro-conservation, we will continue not to support his project.' Now the Landmark Foundation is claiming R400 000 in compensation plus an additional amount for future damages, which has not yet been calculated. The report says the case was postponed in the Eastern Cape High Court (East London) when the judge overseeing the matter recused himself due to a conflict of interest. A new trial date is yet to be set. Full Daily Dispatch report