Court Slaps NOTA With Hefty Fine For Defamation
Court Slaps NOTA With Hefty Fine For Defamation. Outspoken music executive NOTA Baloyi appeared in court after he was sued for defamation of character by DJ Shimza.
DJ Shimza, real name Ashley Raphala, filed a defamation lawsuit against Nota in 2021. This came after Nota claimed on Twitter that DJ Shimza was corruptly profiting from business opportunities in Thembisa. Shimza’s Tembisa restaurant, The Hang Awt, drew attention when it was chosen as the site for a cook-off with tourism minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and media personality Somizi Mhlongo.
Shimza filed a court case in November after asserting that Baloyi had made false accusations about him on Twitter. Taking to Twitter, a controversial Twitter blogger Musa Khawula shared the court ruling that sited that NOTA must pay DJ Shimza R200 000 and interest for defamation of character.
“I order as follows, the defendant is ordered to pay damages to the plaintiff in the amount of R200.000.00. The defendant shall pay interest on the sum of R200.000.00 at the mora rate from the date of judgement to the day of payment. The defendant is ordered to pay costs.” Read the court ruling.
During the proceedings, NOTA confirmed last week that he appeared before the judge. He stated that Shimza was nowhere to be found since he had a show in Portugal. NOTA also claimed that Shimza’s case against him is weak, but the final outcome is proving that the famed DJ is having the last laugh.
“I’m here in court to defend against Shimza because he says my tweets damaged his reputation… He’s in Portugal gigging. I wonder if this doesn’t weaken his case against me? He’ll need to prove grounds for damages & it doesn’t look like he has a leg to stand on currently!“
“Shimza didn’t show up today; let’s hope he shows up tomorrow… To the good people of #Tembisa, especially my cousins, nephews & nieces, I just want to reassure you that this court victory will expose the depth of the rot in the #RamaphosaMustGo office. His girlfriend dropped it!” Tweeted NOTA.
