Cape Town - The City of Cape Town’s Safety and Security Executive director, Vincent Botto is seeking R250 000 from two traffic officers in a defamation suit in which he alleged the duo had injured his character and defamed him while the officers claimed he was rude and abused his position of power during a routine traffic stop involving a taxi driver.
Via a grievance lodged, traffic officer Alnecia Louw, who is pregnant, claimed Botto was rude, swore at her and abused his authority and power while she was issuing a contravention notice to a taxi driver.
Her colleague, Nande Mngqibisa claimed Botto had called him like a dog while making a hand gesture during the incident.
Botto via his legal representatives and court papers filed at the Western Cape Regional Court claimed the duo intended to injure his character and defame him in that he had abused his power as an Executive Director.
Botto is seeking R250 000 in damages and is asking for an apology, including the cost of suit and further alternative relief. Yesterday, calls and messages were fruitless in reaching Botto for comment on his claim.
Weekend Argus also reached out to his attorney at Vassen Abrahams Van Leeve to ask whether an agreement had been reached and whether the traffic officials legal representation had submitted a response but they have yet to communicate.
The traffic officials in their capacity are not allowed to speak with the media.
The City of Cape Town also confirmed that internal hearings were still under way but that they could not comment any further on the matter and that both traffic officials were still employed.
“This matter is ongoing and is being dealt with in terms of City policies and processes. It would therefore be premature to comment.
The City stated they could not comment on the details of the matter as it was an external case.
“This is a civil claim, which makes it a private matter and the City therefore cannot comment.”
According to court papers shared with Botto claims that on March 10, 2023, Louw logged an official grievance against Botto, claiming he had attacked her persona, belittled her, traumatised her and embarrassed her by swearing and shouting at her while she was issuing a traffic violation notice.
She said on March 4, 2023, while she and her partner were attending to a taxi driver who had allegedly committed a traffic violation, Botto stopped his vehicle after passing by to inquire why the traffic was congested and that she was executing her duties.
Louw further alleged that Botto responded: “Read who I am,” and that he apparently shoved his identification card in a manner that invaded her personal space which made her feel uncomfortable.
Louw stated via her grievance Botto became rude by shouting at her and began swearing at her to listen to him and made the following remark: “Who does this F ***** lady think she is, she has the audacity to speak to me like that.”
She said Botto then called Mngqibisa, apparently making rude hand gestures to him and that he (Mngqibisa) replied that he was not calling a dog.
A hearing for the grievance was set down on March 29, 2023 and matter could not be resolved following a postponement. Botto claims in his suit that he did not address Louw rudely and that he did not shove his identification card into her face.
He said he had wanted to inquire why the traffic was congested and claimed Mngqibisa became aggressive.
He added the statements made by Louw were untrue with the intention to defame and injure his reputation and that he was labelled as a person with no integrity, who abused his power as an ED (Executive Director).
The matter is currently ongoing.