Refer defamation lawsuit to Supreme Court: Kereke

truth.
He said Dr Gono was impeding that right by trying to silence him.
“The legal action by Plaintiff (Dr Gono) himself a public figure, directly violates the defendant’s Constitutional right of freedom of expression, particularly in the contest that the defendant’s scope was to bring the irregular and illegal actions of the plaintiff under the spotlight of legislative and judicial scrutiny,” he said.
Dr Kereke said he should be allowed to enjoy his Constitutional rights of freedom to hold opinions, receive and impart ideas and information without interference.
He said Dr Gono’s legal action was “grossly unconstitutional as it violates the provision of the Declaration of Rights in the Constitution of Zimbabwe which confers unassailable rights to freedom of conscience and freedom of expression to the defendant,” he said.
Dr Kereke said Dr Gono, by the very nature of his office and public duties, should not cast “extractive and intimidatory litigation walls around him so as to protect himself from public scrutiny.
“The plaintiff must at all material times be accountable for his actions on official duty,” said Dr Kereke.
He said in the absence of further particulars request from Dr Gono, his defamation claim did not disclose a cause of action and is “vague and embarrassing”.
Dr Kereke said Dr Gono’s claim of US$10 million for defamation could not be justified in the absence of the provision of further particulars requested.
Dr Kereke recently requested through the courts that Dr Gono furnishes him with more information on the claim which he needed to make a proper response to the summons.
Dr Gono wants Dr Kereke to pay him US$10 million for alleged defamatory statements made in February.
He wants an additional US$15 million for other alleged defamatory statements made in May.