According to a letter from her lawyer, Justice 'Maseforo Mahase has claimed that a programme aired by the station contained defamatory remarks against her.
(MISA/IFEX) – 12 September 2011 – The Harvest FM radio station has informed MISA-Lesotho that High Court Judge ‘Maseforo Mahase is suing the station for M8 million (approx. US$1.1 million) for defamation.
Station Manager ‘Malichaba Lekhoaba said that, according to a letter of demand from Justice Mahase’s lawyer, Mokorosi Chobokoane, the judge claims a programme aired by the station on 14 July 2011 contained defamatory remarks against her.
‘The comments were to the effect that Justice Mahase was bribed in exchange for handing down a prison sentence against Jobo Mofoka, and that she is corrupt and is not fit to be a judge,” the letter of demand states.
Justice Mahase sentenced Mofoka to 30 days in prison for contempt of court on 11 July. Mofoka’s brothers, Kalaele and Nthinya, participated in Harvest FM’s popular “Rise and Shine” programme on 14 July, in the segment in which Justice Mahase claims she was defamed.
The letter of demand instructs the defendant to pay the amount set out in the lawsuit within 30 days.
