By Courts Reporter
Former Zimpapers,journalist Admore Mbonda, popularly known as Dombo, has taken the company to court, suing them for defamation of character. According to court documents, Mbonda is claiming $50,000 in compensation for damages to his reputation.
The lawsuit stems from a statement published in the Herald newspaper and aired on Platinum FM, which claimed that Mbonda had misrepresented himself as a representative of the media house’s digital publications and broadcasting platforms. The statement, which was published on September 27, 2024, was made by Davies Mugadza, the Platinum FM station manager, with the blessing of Zimpapers group and the head of the broadcasting unit.
The statement read: “This serves to inform clients and other stakeholders of Zimpapers stable that Admore Mbonda does not represent the media house’s digital publications and broadcasting platforms in any capacity. Any claims by Admore Mbonda that he represents the Herald, Platinum FM, ZTN, etc, is misrepresentation and should be treated as such. Admore Mbonda’s contract lapsed at the end of 2022 when it changed over from Nyaminyami FM. Please be guided accordingly to avoid any inconvenience.”
However, Mbonda, through his lawyer Clara Phiri of Phiri and Partners, is claiming that the statement was false and defamatory and that it was made with the intention of damaging his reputation. He argues that he was still working with the defendants, contributing stories to Star FM, ZTN, and the Herald at the time the statement was made, and that they had continued to use his articles and accredit him with the premier soccer league through Star FM, even after his contract had supposedly lapsed.
The publication of the statement had far-reaching consequences, with other media houses becoming wary of working with Mbonda and the public losing trust in his articles and news reports. Mbonda claims that he was not aware of any complaints made against him and that the statement was made spitefully and maliciously to defame him.
The defendants in the case include Zimpapers group, the General Manager of Zimpapers radio division, the Herald editor Victoria Ruzvidzo, and Platinum FM station manager Davies Mugadza.