SUSPENDED ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shivambu claims journalist Carien du Plessis asked him questions related to a "clearly sexual interest" she had in another man.

"I would never think that she is racist because she told me that she was considering sleeping with an African male who was making moves on her," Shivambu said in an affidavit. "... the journalist interacted with me on a ... private level ... when she was strangely asking me about what were clearly sexual interests she had on an African male I know."

Du Plessis brought hate speech charges against Shivambu after he allegedly called her a "white bitch".

She alleged that in an SMS exchange between herself and Shivambu in May 2010, he wrote: "You must learn to respect people. I don't comment on YCL (Young Communists League) issues and please stop being stupid ... I wouldn't want to earn respect from white bitches ... so dream on."

Du Plessis is suing Shivambu for R100,000 in damages in the Johannesburg Equality Court. His affidavit was filed in court this week. Shivambu said Du Plessis had met him and his male acquaintance at his private apartment in Johannesburg in "what appeared to be a private meeting".

The court earlier ruled it would allow oral evidence by witnesses and experts in the case, and Du Plessis and Shivambu might be called in to testify if necessary.

Both parties would meet on February 14 for possible admissions and again on February 28 for answers to questions.