Former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils is challenging Kabby Maphatsoe to prove the allegation levelled against him and has taken to court to sue for R1m.

“He said I had given instructions to the young woman (“Khwezi”) who alleged Jacob Zuma had raped her,” said Kasrils.

“He also said I dismissed most of the cadres of Umkhonto weSizwe because I wanted to sell our intelligence to the imperialists during our reconstruction.”

Kasrils’ said he did not take being defamed lightly. He said the matter has been set down for Monday in the High Court in Pretoria.

“This is entirely malicious stuff and I don’t take this thing lightly. I’m challenging him to prove these allegations,” he said.

Kasrils will be represented by Advocate Dali Mpofu, with Advocate JF Grobler briefed by Jenny Arenstein.

Maphatsoe refused to comment when contact. He said he won’t be commenting as the matter was before the court.