South African Indian editor seeks protection from court
The editor of Laudium Sun had to seek a court interim order after alleged threats of assault from a businessman.
The editor of a South African Indian community newspaper has had to seek a court interim order after alleged threats of assault by a family that claimed he ruined their business with reports in the newspaper.
Nazeer Noormohamed secured the order from the Pretoria High Court restraining security company owner Mahomed Moosa and his sons from threatening, planning to attack or intimidating Noormohamed and his family.
The dispute started after Noormohamed's "Laudium Sun", a fortnightly distributed free of charge mainly to the Indian community here, carried reports alleging that Moosa's company "Sureguard" was unreliable.
Moosa said the articles had caused immeasurable harm to his business, especially in an environment where people are increasingly reliant on security companies in a community plagued by crime.
At one stage, mutual friends had to separate the two men after Noormohamed confronted Moosa, who drew a gun.
Noormohamed also claimed in court papers that Moosa had offered to drop a defamation case against him if he paid up two million rands.
The "Laudium Sun" has in recent years developed a reputation for exposing corruption, malpractices and other wrongdoings without fear, but some detractors have also accused Noormohamed of using his newspaper to fight personal battles.
