The trial of The Standard journalists, Editor Nevanji Madanhire and former reporter Patience Nyangove, and Alpha Media Holdings group human resources manager Loud Ramakgapola, representing the company, failed to take off again yesterday at the Harare Magistrates’ Court.
The paper faces charges of criminal defamation stemming from last year’s article headlined “MDC-T fears for missing Timba” (Prime Minister’s Office minister).
Chief Superintendent in the Law and Order Section Chrispen Makedenge is the complainant in the matter.
The defence lawyer from Atherstone and Cook said they were still waiting for the outcome of their Supreme Court application which they made challenging the constitutionality of criminal defamation.
“We are waiting for the outcome of an application pending before the Supreme Court,” said the lawyer.
Magistrate Donald Ndirowei pronounced August 1 as the trial date.
The three are being charged with criminal defamation as defined under Section 96 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and section 31, which criminalises the publishing or communication of false statements prejudicial to the State.
The charges stem from the publication of a story carried in the weekly paper’s issue of June 26 – July 2 last year.
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It was based on an MDC-T statement that the party feared for the life of Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jameson Timba after he was arrested for allegedly calling President Robert Mugabe “a liar”.
A number of cases challenging criminal defamation are pending at the Supreme Court. Joyce Sithole prosecuted.
