Iqbal Surve sues for R100m in defamation case

Businessman Iqbal Surve has taken exception to an article that he alleges painted him as a narcissist and a liar.

As a result, he is suing journalist  Terry Bell and publishing giant Media24 for R100 million in damages for defamation reports Sunday Times.

The article in question titled “Fact-checking Iqbal Survé’s bold bio leaves more questions” was written in 2016 and published on Fin24.com.

In it, Survé is alleged to have lied about having a close relationship with Nelson Mandela and Ahmed Kathrada in addition to a number of other claims.

According to papers filed in the Cape Town high court on Friday, Survé said the article, “impugned his reputation and good standing in the media industry.”

“The accusations and statements are … wrongful and defamatory … intended to mean that Survé is dishonest and a liar. [They] carry the additional sting of being disparaging of Survé … that he is vain, arrogant and narcissistic,” read part of the summons.

Speaking to the publication, Bell reportedly dismissed Survé’s R100m claim as “an absolute joke”.

“There are far more important things in life to occupy one’s thoughts with,” he said.

“It has taken him all this time to rush to court and at the time of writing I gave him every opportunity to respond. I suspect he’s trying to muddy the water as he may have gotten wind about a book that’s to be published about his exploits, in October. He wants to position himself as a victim of white monopoly capital,” added Bell.

Weideman told the publication that she had not been Fin24’s editor and referred the publication to the new Media24 CEO, Ishmet Davidson, who said Media24 would defend the lawsuit.

Speaking through his attorney, Aubrey Magerman, Survé said he would not comment outside of the court process.

(Compiled by Kaunda Selisho)

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