Plagiarism claim settled

Plagiarism claim settled
By Candice Soobramoney
THE legal dispute between media consultant Marlan Padayachee and community leader TP Naidoo has been resolved.
Padayachee accused Naidoo of plagiarism and sued him for R500 000. Last week both parties agreed to an out of court settlement but neither would comment on the amount.
The issue was about a book Naidoo authored, titled The Settler: Tribulations, Trials and Triumph. It was published to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Indians arriving in South Africa.
Acknowledge
Padayachee said he wrote the series The 1946 Resisters but Naidoo failed to acknowledge his contribution.
Padayachee said he was the one who interviewed freedom fighter Yusuf Dadoo while covering a conference in London on the United Nations’ sanctions against South Africa sport in 1983. Padayachee said in the book, Naidoo took credit for the interview.
He subsequently filed papers in the Durban Magistrate’s Court claiming R500 000.
Speaking to POST this week Padayachee said: “Given Naidoo’s age, his standing in the community and his contribution to profiling Indian South African achievers and organising cultural events, while blending these success stories with the participation of other members of our cosmopolitan society, I have decided, with the advice of my attorney, to settle this matter out of court and amicably.”
Naidoo’s daughter Vasantha, responded on her dad’s behalf - as her father has been unwell for several years.
“I am happy to see that this matter has been finally resolved. Both men enjoyed a cordial working relationship for many years. This friendship extended to our families.”
“The fact that this matter had to reach the papers has deeply saddened me.
“Being friends, Padayachee was free to approach my dad to discuss this further. The monetary side can never equal the mental, emotional and physical anguish it caused my family. However, that is now water under the bridge.
“Despite the agony and the personal anguish, I will always be grateful to the thousands of friends, family and even strangers who stood by us during these sad and disappointing days.”
Ends
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Source: Published in the POST, Independent Newspapers, Durban, South Africa, Page 3 March 28-1 April 2012. Circulation: 45 000. Readership 160 000-200 000.