News / National
Mohadi demands $10m from Mliswa
09 Feb 2019 at 07:12hrs | Views
VICE-PRESIDENT Kembo Mohadi is demanding $10 million compensation from Norton MP Temba Mliswa (independent) for alleged defamation.
Through his lawyers Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers, Mohadi issued summons at the High Court on Thursday and served them on the Norton legislator the same day.
In his declaration, Mohadi said through his Twitter handle @TembaMliswa and in reaction to the announcement that all commissioners of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) had resigned en masse, Mliswa tweeted that the VP was corrupt.
"This is a move in the right direction Emerson Mnangagwa. Goodbye Goodson Nguni. It's now time for you to move to the corrupt ministers in Cabinet beginning with Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, judging from the evidence I will produce, it appears the level of corruption in the South is unprecedented," Mliswa tweeted.
Mohadi said as a result of Mliswa's tweet, the allegations received widespread publicity.
"Defendant (Mliswa) shall pay plaintiff (Mohadi) the sum of $10 million as damages together with interest at the prescribed rate calculated from the date of initial publication to date of full payment. Both dates inclusive," the VP said.
"The said words are in their entirety false, wrongful and defamatory per se of and concerning plaintiff; were meant to imply, did imply and were construed and understood by the ordinary reader to imply that plaintiff is corrupt, criminal, unethical and unfit to hold any public office, especially that of Vice-President of the nation."
Mohadi said besides being VP, he was a businessman and a well-known person in Zimbabwe and abroad by virtue of his political and business positions.
He said despite courteous invitation to retract, Mliswa stubbornly refused.
"As a result of the publication of the said matter, plaintiff was damaged in his reputation, dignity and esteem in the eyes of his family, friends, political followers and associates, the citizenry of Zimbabwe in its entirety, his business partners and the global community," he said.
The matter is pending.
Through his lawyers Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers, Mohadi issued summons at the High Court on Thursday and served them on the Norton legislator the same day.
In his declaration, Mohadi said through his Twitter handle @TembaMliswa and in reaction to the announcement that all commissioners of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) had resigned en masse, Mliswa tweeted that the VP was corrupt.
"This is a move in the right direction Emerson Mnangagwa. Goodbye Goodson Nguni. It's now time for you to move to the corrupt ministers in Cabinet beginning with Vice-President Kembo Mohadi, judging from the evidence I will produce, it appears the level of corruption in the South is unprecedented," Mliswa tweeted.
Mohadi said as a result of Mliswa's tweet, the allegations received widespread publicity.
"The said words are in their entirety false, wrongful and defamatory per se of and concerning plaintiff; were meant to imply, did imply and were construed and understood by the ordinary reader to imply that plaintiff is corrupt, criminal, unethical and unfit to hold any public office, especially that of Vice-President of the nation."
Mohadi said besides being VP, he was a businessman and a well-known person in Zimbabwe and abroad by virtue of his political and business positions.
He said despite courteous invitation to retract, Mliswa stubbornly refused.
"As a result of the publication of the said matter, plaintiff was damaged in his reputation, dignity and esteem in the eyes of his family, friends, political followers and associates, the citizenry of Zimbabwe in its entirety, his business partners and the global community," he said.
The matter is pending.
Source - newsday
