MFOMFO SUES SWAZI OBSERVER E150 000

MBABANE – Former Cabinet Minister Mfomfo Nkhambule is suing the Swazi Observer E150 000. Nkhambule of Sigodvweni in Matsapha has since taken the newspaper and the author of the said article, one Phila Mkhatshwa, to court.

The lawsuit filed by Nkhambule emanates from an article published by the newspaper in its Weekend publication on November 24, 2013 where it was alleged that he had taken the late Gcina Nkhambule’s mother to court over Gcina’s estate.

These are allegations contained in an affidavit whose veracity is still to be tested in court and the Swazi Observer is still to file its answering papers.
The contents of the story published by the newspaper cannot be repeated for ethical reasons.
In his application Nkhambule stated that the statements carried by the newspaper report were allegedly incorrect and damaging to him.

He alleged that he had never, at any point in time, pursued his late brother’s estate as alleged in the report carried by the publication.
“The plaintiff (Mfomfo) has neither taken the deceased’s mother to court over the deceased’s estate nor instituted any legal proceedings aimed at having her evicted from the deceased’s home,” reads part of the summons.
He submitted that the allegations which were allegedly made in the report against him were highly defamatory in that they portrayed him as a greedy person and also portrayed him as a busy body who was laying claim to the deceased’s estate when he was not entitled.

“As a result of the defamatory report that has been published by the first defendant (Swazi Observer), the plaintiff (Nkhambule) has been injured in his good name and reputation and has sustained damages in the amount of E150 000,” he stated.
Nkhambule submitted that the report in question was made by the reporter (Mkhatshwa) who, at the material time, was acting within the course and scope of employment of the Swazi Observer.
He alleged that the reporter (Mkhatswa) and the newspaper were jointly liable and severally to pay him the said amount. 

The former minister alleged that despite demand they had failed and or neglected to pay him the said amount.
Nkhambule is represented by lawyers from Mlangeni and Company and the case is still to be heard at the High Court.
 

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