Black Coffee takes legal action against Nota Baloyi over defamation claims
Renowned DJ Black Coffee is pursuing legal action against music executive Nota Baloyi for defamation, following controversial social media posts.
Image: Armand Hough / Independent Newspapers
Well-known DJ and music producer Nkosinathi “Black Coffee” Maphumulo is bringing urgent legal action against controversial music executive Nhlamulo “Nota” Baloyi.
The high-profile legal clash was stirred by Baloyi’s social media posts, which alleged that Black Coffee associated with criminals and engaged in dubious financial practices.
The Grammy award-winning DJ, who has disclosed a personal fortune exceeding R1 billion during his lengthy divorce proceedings, which ended in October, seeks the court’s intervention to have Baloyi take down his posts immediately.
In legal documents seen by Daily News, Black Coffee's demands include a public apology from Baloyi, written to the musician's specifications, and that Baloyi's utterances must be declared false and defamatory.
He also asked that Baloyi bear the brunt of legal costs associated with the matter, at the highest scale.
Nhlamulo ’Nota’ Baloyi.
Image: Twitter
Baloyi, in his responding court papers, stood his ground regarding the assertions he made in his posts.
“Every statement I made is either true or constitutes fair comment,” said Baloyi, in emphasising his belief that he had a constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Baloyi alleged that Black Coffee had harassed his mother in an attempt to exert pressure on him, which he described as “intimidating” conduct.
Baloyi's prayer was that the court not only dismiss Black Coffee’s claims, but he also countered with a R25,000 damages demand for the distress allegedly caused to his mother.
He asked that Black Coffee and his team avoid directly contacting him or his family outside of official court channels.
Baloyi said Black Coffee’s delayed action to launch the court application diminished the urgency he purported in the matter.
He stated that weeks elapsed between his posts and the commencement of Black Coffee's legal actions, and that the music artist was attempting to financially strain him with his legal manoeuvrings.
DAILY NEWS