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Harare Bureau
HIGH Court judge Justice Susan Mavangira on Wednesday referred to trial the defamation case in which a senior Zimbabwe National Army officer Colonel Christopher Mayoyo is suing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for $500 000. The parties failed to reach a settlement in a pre-trial conference leaving Justice Mavangira with no option but to refer the matter to trial.
Col Mayoyo filed the lawsuit arguing that PM Tsvangirai had falsely accused him of spearheading political violence in Zaka.

Col Mayoyo claims Tsvangirai portrayed him as a murderer while addressing MDC-T members in Zaka last year in a story published by NewsDay.
In the summons issued in November last year Col Mayoyo cited PM Tsvangirai, Alpha Media Holdings and one of its editors Constantine Chimakure as respondents.

The defamation claim emanated from a story published on October 8, 2012 titled “Zanu PF hands drip blood: PM”.
The report was based on a speech made by Tsvangirai while addressing party members in Zaka.

In the story, the MDC-T leader said there “is a Colonel Mayoyo and members of the ZRP (Zimbabwe Republic Police) and the militia. These people are known and perpetrators are walking scot-free, laughing and boasting of committing a crime.”

Col Mayoyo claims Tsvangirai’s remarks were directed at him since he was the only member of the ZNA holding the rank of colonel whose surname was Mayoyo.

“The plaintiff originates from Zaka and hails from the area,” reads part of the summons.
“The words attributed to the first defendant are defamatory of the plaintiff in that they were understood by those who attended the first defendant’s party address in Zaka and the readership of NewsDay to mean the plaintiff is a callous murderer and perpetrator of political violence.

“As a consequence of the publication of the offensive words by the defendants, plaintiff has suffered damages to his reputation to the tune of $500 000.”
PM Tsvangirai is opposing the claim arguing that it is unfounded and lacks merit.