Musa Khawula, a prominent social media personality, is facing a 30-day jail term for refusing to retract defamatory statements against Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and his wife, Mantoa Matlala-Malema. The South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg found Khawula in contempt of court after he failed to comply with a court order to apologize to the couple.
The court had ordered Khawula to retract the defamatory statements he made about the couple in February 2026, in which he alleged that they were headed for a split after 11 years of marriage. However, instead of complying with the order, Khawula posted a clip from the song “Sorry” by Beyoncé, signaling his refusal to apologize.
Defamation and Contempt of Court
According to the Wikipedia definition of defamation, it is the act of making a false statement about someone that damages their reputation. In this case, Khawula’s statements about the Malemas were deemed defamatory and unlawful by the court. By refusing to apologize, Khawula has been found in contempt of court, which is a serious offense that can result in imprisonment.
The court had initially ordered Khawula to permanently retract the statements within 24 hours of the order being issued. He was also ordered to publish an unconditional public apology on all his social media platforms where the claims were made, and to refrain from publishing any further similar allegations about the couple.
Consequences of Contempt of Court
Khawula’s refusal to comply with the court order has resulted in a 30-day jail term, which has been suspended for 30 days on condition that he complies with the order. If he fails to comply, he will be arrested and imprisoned. This is not the first time Khawula has been defiant, as he had previously stated that he would not apologize to the Malemas, even after learning that they had filed a court application against him.
Here are some key points to note about the case:
- Khawula was ordered to retract defamatory statements about the Malemas within 24 hours.
- He was ordered to publish an unconditional public apology on all his social media platforms.
- He was ordered to refrain from publishing any further similar allegations about the couple.
- He has been found in contempt of court for refusing to comply with the order.
- He faces a 30-day jail term, which has been suspended for 30 days on condition that he complies with the order.
The case highlights the importance of respecting court orders and the consequences of contempt of court. It also raises questions about the limits of free speech and the responsibility of social media personalities to ensure that their statements do not harm others.
