A warrant of arrest has been issued for media personality Ngizwe Mchunu after he was found guilty of contempt of court. The court ruling relates to his violation of a defamation order issued in a matter involving Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema.
The court found Mchunu in contempt for breaching the terms of a court order stemming from a defamation case. The order had prohibited certain statements and actions, which the court determined Mchunu failed to comply with. Contempt of court in South Africa carries penalties that can include fines or imprisonment.
Details of the specific conduct that led to the contempt finding have not been fully restated by the court in public statements. The defamation case between the parties has been ongoing, with the court previously ordering Mchunu to retract statements and pay damages.
The warrant means police are authorised to arrest Mchunu and bring him before court to face sentencing for the contempt conviction. Legal representatives for Mchunu have not yet issued a public statement on the warrant or next steps.
The matter highlights the court’s enforcement of orders in defamation disputes involving public figures. The case will now proceed to sentencing once Mchunu appears before the court.
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