Court dismisses DA councillor’s gag order bid against activist
The Durban Magistrate Court dismissed DA councillor Ramona Mckenzie's application for a protection order against community activist Marese Lawler.
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A GAG order application by a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor against a vocal Sydenham community activist was dismissed this week after the Durban Magistrate’s Court found no evidence of harassment.
Magistrate Mayeza ruled that Ward 31 Councillor Ramona Mckenzie had failed to prove that resident Marese Lawler’s conduct amounted to harassment, dismissing the protection order that had kept the pair locked in a legal battle since March 2024.
Lawler said she was “thankful that justice prevailed” and relieved that the matter was finally over.
“This case has been extremely draining as I had to appear countless times in court to defend myself against lies, all while dealing with my mum’s illness. It has really left me feeling battered,” she said.
Community activist Marese Lawler says she is “thankful that justice prevailed” and relieved that the matter with Councillor Ramona Mckenzie was finally over.
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At the centre of the dispute were comments allegedly made in a chat group where residents voiced frustrations about poor service delivery. Mckenzie claimed those comments, including Lawler’s alleged calls for residents to “make things jump” and her reference to the councillor as a “Stekkie”, amounted to social media harassment and reputational harm.
She was granted an interim protection order in March 24, which was now dismissed.
Lawler denied the allegations against her, saying Mckenzie had twisted her remarks and used the courts to silence criticism.
“It was premeditated and based on lies. The charge was carefully planned to ensure I would be silenced, unable to call her out or hold her responsible. It even prevented me from attending public meetings and derailed my community work through my NPO,” said Lawler.
She accused the councillor’s party of backing the case.
“This debacle has shown me exactly how unscrupulous and devious they are in all that they do. I believe the councillor had the backing of her party and was probably encouraged to act,” she said.
Attorney Kelly Jade Reddy who represented Marese Lawler in a matter against DA Councillor Ramona Mckenzie, believes her client was unfairly targeted.
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When contacted for comment, Mckenzie told the Sunday Tribune she needed more time to respond.
In her founding affidavit, Mckenzie alleged that Lawler had harassed and intimidated her, claiming that the activist’s online comments and community posts were part of a deliberate campaign to tarnish her reputation.
But Magistrate Mayeza found that the evidence did not support those claims, ruling that the councillor had not substantiated her allegations of harassment and dismissed the interim protection order that was previously granted.
Lawler’s attorney, Kelly Jade Reddy, who represented her pro bono, said her client had been unfairly targeted.
“I needed to stand up for the respondent after she expressed what she faced as a community member and the fear caused by the litigation brought by the DA councillor, who used her title to take advantage of her. The exaggerated claims created fear and anxiety that I thought was an abuse of authority,” said Reddy.