Ex-Ceta CEO Malusi Shezi Evades Contact Amid R277k Legal Debt

Malusi Shezi, former CEO of the Construction Education and Training Authority (Ceta), has gone missing, leaving behind a trail of unpaid legal bills. Arena Holdings, owner of the Sunday Times, is seeking over R277,000 in legal costs incurred while defending a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper. Shezi's last known address in Roodepoort has been visited by the sheriff of the court three times, but he remains unreachable.

In August last year, the Johannesburg high court dismissed Shezi's application to declare three Sunday Times articles as defamatory, ordering him to pay costs. The articles in question scrutinized the purchase of Ceta's R49m headquarters in Midrand, Johannesburg. Shezi had claimed the coverage was false, malicious, and damaged his reputation. The Sunday Times maintained its reporting was accurate and in the public interest, backed by documentary evidence.

Shezi also owes approximately R800,000 to Oupa Nkoane, related to his failed court bid to overturn Nkoane's appointment as Ceta administrator. Sunday Times editor Makhudu Sefara stated that some individuals use courts to discourage media scrutiny of their wrongdoing. Sefara appealed to Shezi to take responsibility for his costs, saying, "We expect those, like Shezi, to show the same level of enthusiasm in taking responsibility for their costs."

Attempts to contact Shezi through his attorneys, Mahlare Attorneys, have been met with a promise to reach out, but no response has been received. The Sunday Times has expressed frustration with the situation, highlighting the escalating costs of tracing Shezi. The sheriff of the court has requested further instructions on how to proceed.

Shezi was Ceta's accounting officer when the authority was placed under administration in August last year. His disappearance has raised concerns about accountability and the use of public funds. The Sunday Times' reporting on Ceta's affairs has been a subject of contention, with Shezi accusing the newspaper of pushing a predetermined agenda.

The auditor-general had flagged the building transaction as irregular, which formed the basis of the Sunday Times' reporting. The newspaper's editor, Makhudu Sefara, emphasized the importance of media scrutiny in holding individuals accountable for their actions. Sefara stated that the Sunday Times would continue to investigate and report on matters of public interest.

The case highlights the challenges faced by media outlets in pursuing accountability from powerful individuals. The Sunday Times' efforts to hold Shezi accountable for his actions have been hindered by his disappearance. Key points include:

Key points

• Malusi Shezi owes R277,000 in legal costs to Arena Holdings.
• Shezi also owes R800,000 to Oupa Nkoane related to his failed court bid.
• The Sunday Times' reporting on Ceta's affairs was based on documentary evidence and in the public interest.