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Masvingo Mirror defamation lawsuit commences
MISA-Zimbabwe
November 30, 2011

The defamation case in which The Masvingo Mirror is being sued for US$100 000 by ZANU PF's Bikita District Co-ordinating Committee member retired Colonel Claudius Makova commenced in the High Court on 29 November 2011.

Makova told High Court judge Justice Susan Mavhangira sitting in Harare, the story in question had damaged his reputation politically and within the general readership of the newspaper in the province. The Masvingo Mirror is based in the southern town of Masvingo.

He said the defamatory substance within the story lay in the reference to him as stupid and greedy. It was his contention the story portrayed him as a terrorist on account of the fact that the story alleged he was terrorising mine workers.

Cross examined by defence lawyer Andrew Demo, on the justification for the amount he was claiming in light of the newspaper's reach and the fact that he had been accorded a chance to comment on the allegations within the same story.

Makova who appeared at pains in trying to justify the sum he was demanding later relented to the fact that the sum might be too much and that he would stand guided by the court.

Acting editor of the weekly newspaper Garikayi Mafirakureva, told the court that in his opinion the story was fair and balanced.

Golden Maunganidze, the then editor and writer of the story in question was later called to the stand. Maunganidze said the story was not defamatory as he had given both sides an opportunity to comment on the material allegations at the relevant time. Maunganidze said averments by the retired colonel that the story was read on the internet were not true as the publication was not online by then.

The matter continues on 30 November 2011.

Background

The defamation suit arose from a story published in the newspaper on 3 July 2008 titled: Big war in Bikita. The story referred to Makova's alleged interests in Bikita Minerals and that he was  also allegedly behind certain acts of violence.

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