Collen Mashawana’s bid to silence Daily Maverick struck off the roll


The High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed businessman and philanthropist Collen Mashawana’s urgent court application against media house Daily Maverick and investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh, with punitive costs.

Mashawana had approached the court in an attempt to obtain an order preventing further reporting on corruption allegations against him, his foundation and Independent Development Trust (IDT) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tebogo Malaka.

The Daily Maverick reported that Mashawana, through his Collen Mashawana Foundation, allegedly made at least two payments toward Malaka’s R16 million luxurious Waterfall mansion, while benefiting from a R60 million Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) tender through the IDT.

Acting Judge Alex Pullinger struck off the application from the roll.

“The applicant is to pay the respondent’s costs on a scale of an attorney and a client. Countless costs to be taxed on scale C. Reasons will be provided in due cause,” says Pullinger.