Jonathan Moyo sues journalists for $9 million

Higher and Tertiary Education Minister Prof Jonathan Moyo has slapped Zimpapers’ four editors and three reporters from various publications with a US$9 million lawsuit for allegedly publishing defamatory articles against him relating to the ZIMDEF corruption scandals.

In papers filed at the High Court Wednesday, Professor Moyo cited Sunday Mail Investigations Editor Brian Chitemba, Sunday Mail Editor Mabasa Sasa, Sunday News Editor Limukani Ncube, Herald Editor Caesar Zvayi, Chronicle Acting Editor Innocent Madonko, Herald Senior Reporters Zvamaida Murwira and Lloyd Gumbo as respondents in the case. Professor Moyo alleges that ‘several false, misleading and defamatory articles published at the instance of the respondents tainted his reputation as a cabinet minister, a member of parliament and a respected academic.’ He cited identical articles which were published in the Sunday Mail and Sunday News on the 9th of October 2016 headlined: ‘Probe into Prof Moyo,’ ‘Dr Gandawa the Details,’ respectively and alleged that both gave misleading allegations that he diverted fuel coupons meant for the Zimbabwe Youth Council and employed middle men to sell them on the black market. He cited another article of the same day published under the headline: ‘Minister Funded Graduation Protests,’ which allegedly defamed him as it insinuated that he siphoned funds from Zimdef to fund students protests against President Robert Mugabe at the last University of Graduation (UZ) graduation ceremony. He also cited a Herald article of the 10th of October 2016, which had the headline: ‘Moyo Likens Self to Robin Hood’ and another titled: ‘Moyo Admits Funds Abuse,’ which insinuated that he admitted abusing public funds. Professor Moyo argues that all these articles were false and defamatory and is seeking compensation to the tune of US$9 million.