Insiza South MP Siyabonga Malandu Ncube (MDC) yesterday filed a notice to oppose the $1, 5 million lawsuit filed against him by a Bulawayo female journalist, who claims the MP allegedly deliberately infected her with HIV during their relationship which ended last year.
The notice was filed by Ncube’s lawyer Kossam Ncube yesterday and also served on the journalist’s lawyers, Cheda and Partners.
“Take notice that the defendant has this 29th of August 2011 entered an appearance to defend the above numbered action (HC2321/11). Further take notice that the defendant’s address of service is specified below and that the summons was served on the 18th August 2011,” read the notice. Ncube is still to enter his plea to the allegations levelled against him in the High Court.
Last week, the matter took a new twist after the journalist filed a $1, 5 million lawsuit to cover medical expenses, moral and psychological damages.
The scribe, who cannot be named on legal grounds, is claiming $1 million being general damages for stress, psychological trauma, suffering and reduction of life expectancy she allegedly suffered following the alleged discovery of the infection.
The journalist, who works for the State media, is also demanding $500 000 for future medical expenses which she envisages to incur in treatment and other ancillary expenditure associated with the HIV-positive condition.
She is also claiming an undisclosed amount which would be quantified at the time of the hearing or judgment to constitute past medical expenses.
