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Murape Murape in trouble
2 hrs ago |
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Former Dynamos captain Murape Murape has been formally ordered to retract statements deemed defamatory against ex-Zimbabwe youth international Walter "Ringers" Musanhu, according to Musanhu's legal representatives.
Murape is accused of making the claims in a WhatsApp group called Former Footballers, where he allegedly accused Musanhu of having an incestuous relationship with his sisters, referred to him as "mainini," and falsely claimed that Musanhu never played for Dynamos, Young Warriors, or Motor Action. The statements went viral, prompting Musanhu to take legal action.
James Majatame Attorneys at Law, representing Musanhu, served Murape with a notice demanding that he retract the statements within five days via mainstream media. The legal team warned that failure to comply would result in civil litigation for defamation damages and could trigger criminal proceedings under Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07).
The law firm described the allegations as false, malicious, and wholly unsubstantiated, adding that Murape had also sent direct messages to Musanhu on WhatsApp, again referring to him as "mainini," which they said constituted cyberbullying and harassment. According to the lawyers, the statements implied that Musanhu engaged in incest, practiced witchcraft, was homosexual, was corrupt and dishonest, and had a toxic personality.
The notice emphasized Musanhu's standing as a respected former footballer and businessman, noting his leadership of the Jadel Football Academy in both China and Zimbabwe, his management of the Jadel FA 2034 World Cup Project, and his involvement in several charitable foundations.
The legal team demanded that Murape retract the statements in the WhatsApp group, publish a written apology and retraction in The Herald and The Sunday Mail for four consecutive weeks, and refrain from contacting Musanhu directly.
Musanhu has declined to comment publicly, referring all inquiries to his lawyers, who expressed hope that litigation would not be necessary if Murape complies with the demand. The case highlights the legal risks of defamation and cyber harassment, particularly when harmful statements are circulated on social media and messaging platforms.
Murape is accused of making the claims in a WhatsApp group called Former Footballers, where he allegedly accused Musanhu of having an incestuous relationship with his sisters, referred to him as "mainini," and falsely claimed that Musanhu never played for Dynamos, Young Warriors, or Motor Action. The statements went viral, prompting Musanhu to take legal action.
James Majatame Attorneys at Law, representing Musanhu, served Murape with a notice demanding that he retract the statements within five days via mainstream media. The legal team warned that failure to comply would result in civil litigation for defamation damages and could trigger criminal proceedings under Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07).
The law firm described the allegations as false, malicious, and wholly unsubstantiated, adding that Murape had also sent direct messages to Musanhu on WhatsApp, again referring to him as "mainini," which they said constituted cyberbullying and harassment. According to the lawyers, the statements implied that Musanhu engaged in incest, practiced witchcraft, was homosexual, was corrupt and dishonest, and had a toxic personality.
The notice emphasized Musanhu's standing as a respected former footballer and businessman, noting his leadership of the Jadel Football Academy in both China and Zimbabwe, his management of the Jadel FA 2034 World Cup Project, and his involvement in several charitable foundations.
The legal team demanded that Murape retract the statements in the WhatsApp group, publish a written apology and retraction in The Herald and The Sunday Mail for four consecutive weeks, and refrain from contacting Musanhu directly.
Musanhu has declined to comment publicly, referring all inquiries to his lawyers, who expressed hope that litigation would not be necessary if Murape complies with the demand. The case highlights the legal risks of defamation and cyber harassment, particularly when harmful statements are circulated on social media and messaging platforms.
Source - The Herald
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