THE $500 000 defamation case filed by Zimbabwe National Army officer Colonel Christopher Mayoyo against MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai and Alpha Media Holdings (AMH)’s flagship newspaper NewsDay was yesterday deferred to March 29 after all parties to the suit indicated they were not ready for trial.
by STAFF REPORTER
High Court Judge Amy Tsanga made the ruling in her chambers yesterday.
AMH are publishers of NewsDay, Southern Eye, The Standard and Zimbabwe Independent.
In the matter, Mayoyo accused Tsvangirai of falsely accusing him of leading a terror campaign in Zaka ahead of the June 27, 2008 presidential election run off. The article was published by NewsDay on October 8, 2012 titled Zanu PF hands drip blood: PM.
NewsDay is being represented by Brian Mataruka, while Douglas Mwonzora is representing Tsvangirai.
The report was based on a speech made by Tsvangirai while addressing party members in Zaka.
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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”.
Mayoyo claims Tsvangirai’s remarks were directed at him since he was the only member of the Zimbabwe National Army holding the rank of colonel, whose surname is Mayoyo. Both AMH and Tsvangirai have dismissed the claim, arguing it lacked merit.
