Herald Reporter
ZIMIND Publishers (Private) Limited, publisher of the Newsday, The Standard and Zimbabwe Independent, has sued 36 of its employees, including journalists, for US$100 000 in damages for allegedly defying an instruction by the company’s executive chairman, Mr Trevor Ncube, to switch off their phones during an all-staff meeting, recording and posting the proceedings on various media platforms.
The meeting was reportedly held on March 5, 2026. Among the 36 being sued, 11 employees have reportedly left the organisation.
ZIMIND claimed that when its journalists shared the proceedings of the meeting, they alleged that Mr Ncube was cruel and insensitive to his employees.
The company also claimed that the employees alleged that Mr Ncube and the company were reluctant to pay their outstanding salaries.
In the summons filed in the High Court Civil Division on September 29, 2026 the publishing company is also demanding that the reporters and other staff members jointly publish an unconditional retraction using the same media platforms on which they allegedly posted the recorded meeting.
It is also demanding an apology within seven days of receiving the summons. The company is further seeking an interdict restraining the journalists from further publishing, sharing or disseminating any alleged defamatory statements concerning the company and its chairman, Mr Ncube.
“Prior to and at commencement of the meeting, all employees, including defendants, were expressly and lawfully instructed not to be on their mobile gadgets or phones while the chairman was addressing the meeting,” reads the summons.
The company claimed that the journalists’ conduct was wrongful and defamatory as they deliberately breached Mr Ncube’s lawful instruction and remained glued to their phones throughout the meeting.
“While the chairman was conducting the meeting, defendants wrongfully, unlawfully and intentionally, with animus injuriandi, published false, misleading and defamatory statements concerning the plaintiff and its chairman.
“The publication was effected by: “Sending derogatory messages about the company to other newspapers, media houses and journalists and social media. Publishing and sharing such statements on social media, including LinkedIn; Circulating to third parties, including journalists present and outside, statements to the effect that:-
“The Plaintiff company is cruel and insensitive to its employees; the chairman is cruel and insensitive. The Plaintiff company is cruel and insensitive to its employees;
The Chairman is cruel and insensitive plaintiff is withholding employees’ monthly dues and salaries out of malice and corruption; the plaintiff has accumulated salary arrears through negligence of the Chairman and managers,” reads the summons.
ZIMIND claimed that the statements were wrongful and defamatory in that they impute to Mr Ncube and its leadership improper, cruel, negligent and unlawful conduct in managing its affairs and employees.
“In their ordinary meaning, the statements were understood and intended to mean that Plaintiff is an exploitative employer, that it fails to pay its employees, and that its chairman is incompetent, cruel and insensitive.
“The statements are false, untrue and were at all material times known by the Defendants to be false and untrue. Plaintiff is not in arrears, has not withheld monthly dues, and has not acted with cruelty or negligence.
“Plaintiff, being a registered juristic person trading as a newspaper company, relies on its business reputation, goodwill and public image. The defamation has seriously impaired its commercial reputation and fame.”
The company said the meeting was an important gathering attended by managers and staff.
“On the 5th day of March 2026, Plaintiff convened an important all-staff meeting attended by all managers, senior and junior staff. The meeting was chaired and addressed by the chairman of the board of directors.
“The chairman is an internationally recognised leader, appointed to various public positions, with an established reputation for integrity and leadership locally and internationally. He is married with adult children and is a person of good standing.”
