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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Metropolitan Bank chief executive Mr Ozias Bvute yesterday filed a US$300 000 lawsuit against NewsDay publishers Alpha Media Holdings for defamation in a series of articles he says injured his reputation.
The alleged defamatory articles were published in the Alpha Media Holdings’ two publications, NewsDay and The Southern Eye between February 3 and February 26.
In his claim, Mr Bvute listed NewsDay editor Nevanji Madanhire, The Southern Eye editor Kolwani Nyathi and the newspaper group’s two reporters Paidamoyo Muzulu and Charles Laiton as defendants.
Mr Bvute wants payment of US$300 000 plus 5 percent interest per annum with effect from February 26 for damages allegedly inflicted on him by the two newspapers.
The articles which were circulated widely in the country and to the world at large through Internet, Mr Bvute said, alleged that he was a corrupt person who used his position as board chairman of the board of directors of Air Zimbabwe (Private) Ltd for his personal gains or those associated with him.
“The articles were, therefore, malicious and intended to injure the reputation of the plaintiff,” said Mr Bvute in his claim filed at the High Court.
There are at least five articles written about Mr Bvute by the two publications which he cites Mr Bvute complained of an article titled “New Twist to AirZim Scam” also in the NewsDay of February 3, which claimed that: “The corporate account was moved from CBZ to MetBank. Bvute, the board chairperson, is group CEO for MetBank and this is another obvious case of (sic) conflict of interest.”
The other article was published in the NewsDay’s edition of February 17 titled “Could this Intricate Web be at Heart of AirZim Fight”. On February 18, NewsDay published another story titled “AirZim boss accuses Bvute of framing him” and on February 19 the same publication had a story under the headline “Zinara Boss Caught in Air Zim Insurance Saga”.
On February 26 NewsDay had another story titled “Attempts to buy AirZim thwarted”.
Mr Bvute in his claim said the articles were not factually correct and contained falsehoods.
Magwaliba and Kwirira law firm is acting for Mr Bvute.
Online Reporter