Shivambu withdraws 'drug and alcohol abuse' comments about MK Party's Ndhlela

JOHANNESBURG - Former uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party secretary-general Floyd Shivambu has withdrawn comments he made about party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela, in which he accused him of being addicted to drugs and alcohol.

The retraction came shortly after Ndhlela filed a R3 million defamation lawsuit against Shivambu at the Johannesburg High Court.

Ndhlela argues Shivambu’s remarks have damaged his reputation, forming the basis of his legal claim for defamation of character.

ALSO READ: MK Party's Ndlela sues Shivambu for defamation of character, demanding R3m

Shivambu made the allegations during a series of television interviews this week.

He officially retracted his statements during a media briefing on Friday.

"When I spoke the other time, I was not yet the national convenor of the Mayibuye process. Part of the guidance, which I agreed to, is that I must unconditionally retract statements about drug and alcohol abuse of Nhlamulo Ndhlela unconditionally."