Vusi to Sue Media House: South African entrepreneur and renowned motivational speaker Vusi Thembekwayo to sue media house Sunday World after a damning article accused him of fraud and breach of contract.
The report, which surfaced on April 13, 2025, centres around a R13.7 million lawsuit filed by Thembekwayo’s former business associate, Rorian Justin Naidoo. However, Thembekwayo has dismissed the allegations as “false, defamatory, and reckless,” and says he will take legal action to protect his name.
Vusi to Sue Media House for Defamation and Negligence
In a strongly worded statement, Thembekwayo confirmed that he and his company, MyGrowthFund Venture Partners (MGFVP), will pursue legal recourse against Sunday World.
Thembekwayo accuses the publication of distorting facts and pushing a narrative that omits key information — notably, a formal clearance from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) regarding the very same complaints.
“Their reporting wasn’t just inaccurate, it was negligent and damaging. We are proceeding with legal steps to correct the record,” said Thembekwayo.
The Fraud Allegations That Sparked the Storm
Sunday World reported that Naidoo is suing Thembekwayo and MGFVP for allegedly failing to honour multiple financial and contractual obligations. Among these, Naidoo claims he was entitled to:
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50% of MGFVP’s shares and associated dividends
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R100 million per hour for certain investment consulting services
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A R19 million payout for allegedly saving the company R37.9 million on office rentals
The publication framed these claims as evidence of “fraudulent misrepresentation” on Thembekwayo’s part — a characterisation the speaker firmly denies.
Vusi Thembekwayo to Sue Media House Amid Accusations of Extortion
In a bombshell rebuttal, Thembekwayo alleged that Naidoo’s legal threats began as far back as July 2023 when his attorneys issued a demand letter. The letter reportedly threatened to expose him unless a financial settlement was reached — a move Thembekwayo describes as outright extortion.
“There was no fraud. If Mr. Naidoo truly believed otherwise, he should have opened a criminal case. But he didn’t — because he knows these claims are baseless,” Thembekwayo stated.
No formal criminal charges have been filed against Thembekwayo to date, strengthening his assertion that the fraud allegations were concocted for leverage.
FSCA Cleared Thembekwayo — A Critical Detail Left Out
One of the most glaring issues Thembekwayo raised was Sunday World’s failure to report that the FSCA — South Africa’s financial regulatory body — investigated the matter and closed the case without finding any wrongdoing.
After a 2024 complaint from Naidoo, the FSCA conducted an inquiry into Thembekwayo’s business practices. The investigation focused on directorship issues, governance, and service records. By January 2025, the authority concluded: “There is no reasonable suspicion of a contravention of financial sector laws.”
Vusi Thembekwayo to sue media house partly for this glaring omission, claiming the publication deliberately ignored facts that would have cast doubt on the allegations.
Disputed Shareholding Deal: No Proof, No Paper Trail
Naidoo claims that he was promised half the company. But Vusi to sue media house for treating this unsubstantiated claim as fact. He insists there was never any agreement — verbal or written — to transfer shares.
“Shareholding isn’t decided by handshakes or hallway conversations. It’s done through proper legal channels,” Thembekwayo said. He also pointed out that shareholding records are publicly available through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) and that they disprove Naidoo’s assertions.
Even if such a promise existed, Thembekwayo noted, it would have legally expired in 2024 under South African prescription laws.
Motivations Behind the Lawsuit Questioned
Thembekwayo has suggested that the real reason behind Naidoo’s claims may stem from frustrations over executive decisions within the company.
“He was upset about not being consulted on certain appointments. Instead of using proper governance channels, he escalated a workplace disagreement into a media circus,” said Thembekwayo.
He revealed that MGFVP has already launched a counterclaim against Naidoo, with legal proceedings currently underway.
Media Ethics Under the Microscope
The decision by Vusi to sue media house Sunday World comes amid a larger discussion about media responsibility and the power of headlines to shape reputations. Thembekwayo said the article was slanted and sensationalised, crafted to drive attention rather than provide balanced journalism.
He is demanding not only financial compensation but also a full retraction and public apology from the publication. “I stand for truth, for ethics, and for accountability. But I won’t allow my name to be dragged through the mud for clicks,” he added.
Previous Clashes Add Fuel to the Fire
This isn’t Thembekwayo’s first media battle. In 2023 and again in 2025, media personality Sizwe Dhlomo reignited old accusations against him on social media, labelling him a “fraudster.” While Thembekwayo has not addressed Dhlomo’s remarks directly, he remains focused on the legal battle at hand.
A Reputation on the Line — But Still Standing
Despite the controversy, Thembekwayo’s professional achievements continue to garner international acclaim.
In November 2024, he delivered a masterclass at the Indian School of Business and received the Guardian Award at the EMY Africa Awards.
These milestones underscore his global influence — and highlight what he sees as the real damage caused by reckless reporting.
