| The Mirror Faces M700 000 Defamation Suit | |
|
Retiring leader of the Marematlou Freedom Party (MFP), Mr. Moeketse Malebo
has launched a M700 000 civil claim against The Mirror newspaper for
defamation. In papers before the Lesotho High Court, Mr. Malebo claims the two articles carried by the newspaper, "Is Malebo rightful owner of people?'" and "We want our tractor," in its May 28 to June, 03 2003 issue, tarnished his reputation. Mr. Malebo said as a result of the articles, he would be regarded by members of his community as a thief who has robbed it of its property. His reputation has therefore, been adversely affected. Most of the points in those articles were not factual , according to Mr. Malebo, who gave as an example the claim that he used for personal benefit, a tractor belonging to the Thuathe Development Council. He refuted allegations by The Mirror newspaper that he was using a tractor donated to the Thuathe community by the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO). He has been using his own second hand tractor which he bought around 1984 and, later a new one that he bought around 1987. It was not true that the author of the articles made several attempts to meet him for comment, as he has never been out of the country as is stated in the articles. He had in fact even seen the author (of the articles under dispute) around his (Malebo's) offices a few days before their publication. He called the newspaper through his lawyer asking its management to apologise and retract the statements, but that did not happen. Had the newspaper complied, he would have not have brought the matter before court, Mr. Malebo said. The case is continuing before Justice Winston Churchill Maqutu. Plaintiff is represented by Attorney Molefi Ntlhoki, while the defendants are represented by Advocate Nkoya Thabane. 14 March 2005 |
|
| source: LENA |