Columnist facing legal action after attack on editor

A report on the News24 site notes that in the column, 'Haffajee does it for white masters', Miyeni wrote: 'Julius Malema must never answer a Ferial Haffajee. Who the devil is she anyway if not a black snake in the grass, deployed by white capital to sow discord among blacks?' He added that: 'In the 80s she'd probably have had a burning tyre around her neck.' The column sparked a rush of comment on Twitter, with Haffajee tweeting: 'Decided: am going to sue, possibly win and put proceeds into bursary for talented young opinionistas. Good end to sorry saga.' The report quotes legal commentator Gus Silber as tweeting: 'He's (Minyeni) actually, in a not very roundabout way, calling for someone's necklacing.' Full report on the News24 site

Haffajee later reiterated she was planning to sue Miyeni for calling her 'an agent for white capitalists', says a report on the IoL site. 'Oh I definitely plan to sue... I haven't had a chance yet to speak with my lawyer, but I will seek legal advice,' she said. 'I am quite shocked because he's someone I looked up to and admired... since the 80s. He's always been a thought leader.' The Sowetan newspaper said last night that it had discontinued Miyeni's column with immediate effect. 'Eric Miyeni expresses robust views shared by many South Africans. This is why he has continued writing a column in the Sowetan newspaper,' said Avusa editor-in-chief Mondli Makhanya and Sowetan acting editor Len Maseko in a statement. 'However, the expression of these views should not be accompanied by the promotion or condonation of violence against those who hold differing views.' Makhanya and Maseko said Miyeni's latest column crossed the line between robust debate and the condonation of violence. ANCYL spokesperson Floyd Shivambu said Miyeni should not be 'intimidated, nor demoralised' because he expressed his thoughts openly. 'The ANC Youth League appreciates that ultimately, someone had the courage to tell some journalist where to get off, and we are grateful,' Shivambu said. Full report on the IoL site

Miyeni remains unrepentant, saying: 'I believed what I wrote in the column.' He added: 'I didn't do it to get fired. I believed what I wrote in the column. I think she (Haffajee) is a fantastic human being personally speaking.' According to a report on the News24 site, Miyeni noted the editors at Sowetan read the column before publication and had days to check it. Max du Preez tweeted that the column was definitely hate speech. 'It is disgusting of the Sowetan to have published the column. I can't believe that the editor could have approved it.' Miyeni said: 'She is going to sue me. For what? We're no longer in the 80s. South Africans aren't that stupid. They won't necklace anyone.' He defended this by saying he was using a metaphor. Full report on the News24 site

A Beeld report notes that Miyeni is no stranger to controversy. He was a presenter at SAfm in 2003, but was fired after just four months. Listeners submitted numerous complaints. It says Miyeni abandoned his post while on air and was allegedly rude to colleagues. Full Beeld report