The Nelson Mandela University (NMU) has been granted a Limpopo High Court (Polokwane) interdict against former student Isaac Diale, ordering him not to make false and defamatory statements against the vice-chancellor, university and its employees.

The Herald reports Diale had harassed NMU and its staff referring to them, both in personal correspondence and on social media, as racists, and calling the vice-chancellor (VC) weak and a coward.

The smear campaign, as referenced in the papers, happened from 2021 to 2023.

Diale was interdicted from making, disseminating or publishing any false, defamatory allegations regarding the university, its functionaries or its employees, either directly or indirectly.

He may not post or publish any information or statements about the VC or NMU on platforms like Hello Peter or social media.

Diale is barred from directly communicating with the VC, or any of the university’s functionaries or employees, except for matters directly related to his academic record.

He may not address any correspondence to NMU that is not directly relevant to his academic record.

While Diale – who represented himself throughout the court proceedings – remained adamant of his innocence and painted himself as the victim of racial abuse and undue bias, he did admit to making some of the statements ‘out of frustration’. 

He also accused NMU of orchestrating his alleged kidnapping, torture and intimidation, as well as stealing his laptop, cellphone and tablet to silence him regarding the situation.

However, the court found that he had failed to prove, on a balance of probabilities, that the statements were either the truth or in the public interest.

‘His affidavit is riddled with hearsay and very little of substance has been conveyed as to the alleged truth of the statements published by him,’ the court order read. 

Diale was ordered to pay the costs of the application and the two counsel.

Full report in The Herald

Judgment