Illustrative image | Sources: Deputy president of uMkhonto Wesizwe John Hlophe with a ceremonial spear. (Photo: Gallo Images / Darren Stewart) | Mary Phadi. (Photo: Wikipedia) 
Impeached former judge and deputy president of uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK), John Hlophe, has threatened to sue former MK Mpumalanga convenor, Mary Phadi, for alleging that he sexually harassed her.
style="font-weight: 400;">Newsroom Afrika with a defamation action for flighting an interview with Phadi in which she makes public her allegation that Hlophe had attempted to coerce her into having sex with him.
She told Xoli Mngambi that she was prepared to go to court to challenge Hlophe, who has denied the allegations.
“That would be much better. Even if he goes to court (to stop her) it will be interesting as it will assist a lot of women” who she suggested were remaining silent out of fear.
“I don’t have to prove anything because it is personal. The messages he sent to me would be able to prove that. If you read the messages, you’d be able to tell that I had denied him the opportunity to meet with me,” she said.
Phadi sent her letter of complaint about Hlophe to party leader Jacob Zuma, who had not yet responded, she said.
Sidelined
Phadi was sidelined and replaced with impeached former Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who defected from the Economic Freedom Fighters to MK in October 2024.
Phadi was accused of “misappropriating” funds and “bringing MK into disrepute”, and was summarily dismissed by the party.
Hlophe has hit back with his longtime legal bulldog, Barnabas Xulu, demanding an apology and threatening court action.
It was MK Treasurer-General Thanti Mthanti who accused Phadi in July 2024 of misappropriating funds.
She was booted out more or less as Mkhwebane arrived on MK’s doorstep looking for an income and a position.
Phadi wrote in a letter to Zuma that Hlophe should be suspended “the (same) way he wanted me to be suspended (over) allegations that do not exist, he needs to be suspended with immediate effect”.
“If the MK party thinks I’m here because of positions, they must think again. I’m here because I was after a president who I supported when it was not fashionable — the president who has been implementing the policies of the ANC to the tee.” DM