'Stripping' Ambassador vows to bankrupt pro-Zanu PF writer

A freelance writer who defamed a former Zimbabwean ambassador could pay up to $200,000 for claiming the envoy stripped in front of embassy staff.

Jacqueline Zwambila's legal team is expected to bankrupt Panganai Reason Wafawarova - who says defending himself has exhausted his finances - if he refuses to pay.

At a costs hearing in the ACT Supreme Court late last month, lawyers for Zwambila submitted that Wafawarova was liable for between $175,000 and $200,000 in damages plus costs.

Justice Hilary Penfold reserved her decision on the amount to be paid to the former envoy, who is currently seeking asylum in Australia.

Wafawarova lost a last-gasp attempt to stop the action at the hearing on April 28.