A SENIOR Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officer, Colonel Christopher Mayoyo, has filed a $500 000 defamation lawsuit against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, saying he falsely accused him of spearheading political violence in Zaka.
SENIOR COURT REPORTER
Mayoyo claims Tsvangirai portrayed him as a murderer while addressing MDC-T members in Zaka two months ago in a story published by NewsDay.
In the High Court summons dated November 9, Mayoyo cited Tsvangirai as first respondent while NewsDay Editor Constantine Chimakure is the second respondent.
Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), the publisher of NewsDay, is the third respondent. Chimakure and AMH have already filed a notice to defend themselves. The civil suit emanated from a story published on October 8, 2012 titled “Zanu PF hands drip blood: PM”.
The report stemmed from a speech made by Tsvangirai while addressing party members and survivors of the 2008 violent elections.
In the story, the MDC-T leader said there “is a Colonel Mayoyo and members of the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and the militia.
“These people are known and perpetrators are walking scot-free, laughing and boasting of committing a crime.”
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Mayoyo claims Tsvangirai’s remarks were directed at him since he was the only member of the ZNA holding the rank of colonel whose surname was Mayoyo.
“The plaintiff originates from Zaka and hails from the area,” reads part of the summons.
“ First defendant was addressing his party supporters . . . to his (Mayoyo’s) knowledge, he is the only member of the ZNA holding the rank of colonel whose surname is Mayoyo, such that any reference to ‘Colonel Mayoyo’ is reference to him.
“The words attributed to the first defendant are defamatory of the plaintiff in that they were understood by those who attended the first defendant’s party address in Zaka and the readership of NewsDay to mean the plaintiff is a callous murderer and perpetrator of political violence.
“As a consequence of the publication of the offensive words by the defendants, plaintiff has suffered damages to his reputation to the tune of $500 000.”
