Durban businessman Calvin Mathibeli has complied with a Durban High Court order to retract derogatory statements he made against KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mathibeli was raided following the order to withdraw allegations of corruption against the provincial police commissioner. He had posted these claims on his Facebook page, but the accusations were unsubstantiated and lacked proof.
The remarks he posted on his social media platforms, suggested that Mkhwanazi was captured by private interests and involved in organised hits. Mathibeli had filed for leave to appeal but his application was dismissed with costs by the High Court on Tuesday.
Mathibeli’s lawyers have written to Mkhwanazi’s legal team, informing them that he has complied with the court’s instruction and has removed all the messages and comments on Mkhwanazi.
The letter further indicated that Mathibeli will refrain from making any further posts or comments about Mkhwanazi as ordered by the court.
Mathibeli made the allegations against Mkhwanazi out of anger. Messages posted on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn can have far‑reaching consequences if they are negative or false. Mathibeli was also required to pay damages for the harm caused by his falsehoods. It should be clear that Mathibeli made the statements in anger, for reasons that have yet to be explained. Although Mathibeli may have promised not to post negative comments online in the future and apologized for his statements, he should still be compelled to explain his motives. Meanwhile, Durban has secured a R1.9 billion investment for the construction of the largest superyacht hub in Africa.
Beyond the glamour of superyachts, the real story is about economic impact. Projections suggest that more than 2,500 direct jobs could be created by 2030, spanning marine engineering, advanced manufacturing, and tourism. But the city is not stopping at infrastructure. Plans are already underway to establish Africa’s first Professionalised Superyacht Academy in partnership with the Durban University of Technology. The idea is simple but powerful. Train local talent in specialised skills such as welding, composites fabrication, and marine engineering, then plug them directly into this emerging industry. In a country where youth unemployment remains a major concern, that angle has sparked interest and cautious optimism online.
Durban is shooting across the horizon like a meteor. It has the potential to become a major hub not only for tourism, industry, and engineering, but also for trade, employment, and prosperity. All of this is possible if transparency and accountability in municipal and corporate practices are placed at the centre. The involvement of the Durban University of Technology (DUT) in this venture highlights the role of skills training in technological innovation.
As a coastal city, Durban can be more than just a holiday resort for the wealthy; it can become a magnet for industry and trade if issues of poverty and neglect are addressed. Only then will prosperity truly reign supreme.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
