A BUSINESSMAN, who with popular Lesedi FM presenter Thuso Motaung and his wife Mmamontha were in 2008 unsuccessfully prosecuted for defrauding the SABC, is now suing the public broadcaster.
The three were acquitted in March 2008 by a Johannesburg commercial crimes court of charges related to Power Mix, an energy booster food brand.
They faced 17 charges, including fraud, mainly relating to SABC airtime, in connection with Power mix.
Motaung was subsequently cleared of all charges by an SABC disciplinary panel in July this year and is now back behind the microphone. His wife has also been re-employed in an administrative role by the SABC.
Now businessman Joshua Ramme is suing the public broadcaster for R18million, Sowetan understands.
The case is now part of the schedule at the Johannesburg high court, but no date has been set yet for trial. Sowetan has the case number.
Ramme confirmed that he was suing the public broadcaster for loss of income, malicious prosecution and defamation of character.
"Life has been tough for me ever since I was charged, tried and then acquitted," he said.
"I have lost businesses. Contracts I had negotiated and concluded before the saga were cancelled. And personally, I have lost my marriage.
"Though the case came about while my wife and I were in the process of divorcing, the fact that I was charged made the chances of reconciliation impossible.
"Whenever I went for a business meeting my confidence was gone because I always had to justify that I was a legitimate businessman," he said.
He said it took him this long to sue because of financial difficulties he is currently facing.
The SABC yesterday confirmed that it had received papers from Ramme's lawyers indicating that the businessman is suing the public broadcaster.
"The SABC can confirm that it received a summons in a matter relating to Mr Joshua Ramme," said SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
But he could not say whether the public broadcaster would consider settling out of court or defend the claims in court.