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Herald Reporter
Australian-BASED Zimbabwean freelance journalist Reason Wafawarova will appeal against a ruling by a Canberra judge which found him guilty of defaming out-going ambassador Jacqueline Zwambila. Wafawarova argues that there is overwhelming evidence against Ambassador Zwambila. He is seeking US$10 000 to file an appeal.
“I will need to make an urgent appeal after the holidays, so we can have this default judgment set aside. There is overwhelming evidence against the plaintiff and that is why her lawyers have tried all they could to avoid hearing of the merits of the case,” he said.
Wafawarova said his defence was struck off on a technicality that his papers were not in order. Ambassador Zwambila sued Wafawarova for defamation after the journalist reported that the envoy stripped in front of embassy staff during a heated argument.
She claimed the article by Wafawarova injured her reputation and profession.
Ambassador Zwambila argued Mr Wafawarova’s story was also motivated by malice. Ambassador Zwambila is reported to have reached a confidential settlement with The Australian newspaper which carried a similar story.
Mr Wafawarova’s story was published in November 2010.
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