Mathew Masinge, Court Reporter
Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe chairperson, Tafadzwa Musarara, is suing suspended ZANU PF youth leaders Godfrey Tsenengamu and Lewis Matutu for $10 million defamatory damages.
The action comes after Musarara was accused of channelling maize meal to the informal market backed by a clique of white elites.
In the summons, Musarara claims the statements were defamatory whilst their wide circulation in newspapers and on social platforms meant that he was a corrupt businessman.
“On the 3rd of February 2020 at Harare, the Defendants (Tsenengamu and Matutu) jointly addressed a press conference whereat they stated to the journalists that were gathered and present that the Plaintiff (Musarara) was a corrupt businessman engaging in unethical business practices.
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“The statements made by the defendants were widely circulated in national newspapers and on many social media platforms both in written word and videography,” he said.
He said the statements damaged his reputation.
“The statements are wrongful and defamatory of the Plaintiff in that they were intended and were understood by the journalists gathered and present at the press conference…to mean that the Plaintiff was a corrupt businessman who was abusing State resources…,” he said.
Now, the businessman says his reputation has been damaged and is seeking a High Court order for payment of ZWL$10 million as damages.
He is also seeking an order for interest for the sum of money and costs of the suit.
Both Tsenengamu and Matutu are still to respond to the summons.
– HMETRO