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The popular preacher let the Daily News off-the-hook after the paper’s publishers, Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe, agreed to meet his conditions.
The banner that caused the lawsuit was inscribed “Anglican saga sucks in Makandiwa” when the story did not mention anything to do with the charismatic preacher.
In the first letter of demand by Prophet Makandiwa to the Daily News, he just wanted a retraction to correct the error.
But the parties failed to agree, prompting the Prophet Makandiwa to file the law suit.
The parties recently met and the Daily News agreed to run a story giving prominence to their apology and retraction.
A notice of withdrawal was filed at the High Court last week, putting an end to the legal battle.
Prophet Makandiwa’s spokesperson Pastor Prime Kufakunesu said the newspaper had agreed to meet the conditions and that there was no longer need for the law suit.
Pastor Kufakunesu said the prophet was not after money, but he simply wanted the wrong to be corrected.
“The Daily News has agreed to meet the conditions we had set from the start.
“In that light, we have seen it fit to withdraw the law suit,” he said.
“The prophet was not after money, but he only wanted a retraction with equal prominence to the poster.
“We had to file the law suit after the paper refused to meet the condition.
“Now that they have agreed to publish the apology with prominence, the lawsuit becomes unnecessary.”
Prophet Makandiwa’s lawyers Mushangwe and Company have since written to the Registrar of the High Court informing him of the withdrawal.
In a letter that was part of the papers in court, the Daily News editor Stanley Gama apologised to Prophet Makandiwa saying the poster was published in error.
“The publication of the poster was a genuine error on our part, for which I sincerely apologise.
“The error came about because the previous day, the Daily News had a poster with the name Makandiwa, and when fresh posters were being designed, they completely forgot to replace Makandiwa with Banks,” said Gama.
“I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and discomfort the publication of the poster may have caused you, your family and your church.
“May I also take this opportunity to thank you for turning millions of people in Zimbabwe and around the globe into God-fearing citizens”, read part of the letter of apology.
Online Reporter