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Harare Bureau
Former Mashonaland East provincial chairman Ray Kaukonde is claiming $5 million for damages over alleged defamatory articles published by The Sunday Mail and Sunday News alleging that he was demanding sexual favours from Zanu-PF female party members aspiring for leadership positions. In his claim filed at the High Court recently, Kaukonde cited Zimbabwe Newspapers, Sunday News editor Tumeliso Makhurane and Mabasa Sasa, the Sunday Mail acting editor as defendants.
The article was published on November 2 last year titled “Ray Kaukonde-sex-for-power storm” published in the Sunday Mail and in Sunday News under the headline “Kaukonde in sex scandal”.
Through his lawyers Advocate Thabani Mpofu instructed by Gill, Godlonton and Gerrans, Kaukonde says the allegations in the context of the article are malicious, wrongful and plainly defamatory in that they were intended and were understood by the readers of the publications to mean that he was immoral, depraved and unfit to hold responsible office.
“The two newspapers are widely distributed in Zimbabwe, widely read by the general public and are accessible on the Internet to an even wider global readership,” reads part of the summons.
Kaukonde said that apart from the alleged defamatory meaning of the articles, they also carry an additional sting that he is a corrupt politician who abuses authority.
He said due to the articles, his reputation was damaged hence the demand of $5 million being damages for defamation.
The Zimbabwe Newspapers through its lawyers Mandaza, Muzangaza and Tomana law firm, disputes Kaukonde’s claims and has since filed its defence.
Kaukonde was kicked out of Zanu-PF on allegations of fanning factionalism in the province and was said to be linked to a plot to topple President Mugabe and replace him with former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru.
Online Reporter