MD RUNS TO LAWYERS TO STOP STORY

MBABANE – A managing director of one of the country’s financial institutions has engaged his lawyers to block the Times of Swaziland SUNDAY from pursuing an article that touches on him allegedly practising witchcraft.

This publication’s reporter, Kwazi Masuku, first called the MD and posed questions to him concerning the allegations but the latter requested that he be sent a questionnaire which he said he would respond to.

However, the MD then went to his lawyers, who contacted the Times’ Human Resources Manager, Silindile Mngomezulu, as well as Times SUNDAY Editor Sifiso Sibandze to register their concerns about the article.
The lawyers, from a reputable law firm, followed this up with a letter addressed to the Times SUNDAY editor through which they registered their concerns.

“Even before you send the questionnaire, we wish to bring to your attention that the intended article which you wish to publish insinuates a conduct which is prohibited in terms of the Crimes Act in particular Section 75 thereof,” the letter states.

The section being referred to reads: “Any person who imputes to another the use of non-natural means in causing any disease in any person or property or in causing injury to any person or property or shall name or indicate another as a wizard or witch or who by means of pretended supernatural power indicates anyone as being responsible for or the cause of any injury to any person, animal or thing shall be guilty of an offence and on conviction liable to a fine of E1 000 or imprisonment not exceeding five years.”

The lawyers said it was their view that the said allegations against the MD were devoid of any truth or substance. They said the allegations insinuated a false and misleading picture ‘about a very high and respectable member of society’.

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