ZNBC staffer sues over ‘malicious’ Facebook posty

Sat, 01 Jul 2017 12:08:43 +0000

 CHINTU MALAMBO

ZAMBIA National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) newscaster Ireen Njovu has sued for defamation in the Lusaka High court over an alleged malicious Facebook post.

Ms Njovu charged that holder of Facebook account name ‘‘Majory Tembo’’ of Lusaka  published or caused to publish defamatory statement against her.

In a writ of summons filed in the Lusaka High Court principal registry, Ms Njovu charged that on 18th June, 2017, Ms Tembo, in complete disregard  of her reputation and professional standing, published on social media, namely ‘‘ZED HULE + KAWALALA’’ a picture with captioned malicious falsehood statements.

“On 18th June, 2017 at about 8:35 pm, Ms Tembo published or caused to publish on a Facebook ZED HULE + KAWALALA, a picture captioned ‘‘Her and her husband have been owing rental money and do not want to pay. Please note that they shifted from the house and refused to pay. They don’t want to show themselves at the police station. We are tired,’ which in entirety was based on malicious falsehood,” she said.

Ms Njovu said that the words in their natural meaning meant that she was a dishonest person who was not to be trusted. She said that Ms Tembo did not consult or seek her permission prior to the publication of the words.

“The caption words attributed crookedness and dishonest to me, knowing full well and having reasonable cause to believe the same are true,” she said.

Ms Njovu charged that she had been injured in her professional standing, character, credibility and her reputation has suffered distress and embarrassment and had been brought unto public scandal, odium, ridicule and contempt.

She now claims for general damages for libel, interests on any amount due and any other relief that the court may deem fit.