(MISA/IFEX) – On 23 July 2003, the weekly Sesotho tabloid “Mohahlaula”, published by Makaung Printers and Publishing (Pty) Ltd in Lesotho, was served with a summons for civil defamation by the legal representatives of Minister of Trade and Industry Mpho Malie. The summons demands that the newspaper, its editor Pofane Molungoa and the publishing company […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 23 July 2003, the weekly Sesotho tabloid “Mohahlaula”, published by Makaung Printers and Publishing (Pty) Ltd in Lesotho, was served with a summons for civil defamation by the legal representatives of Minister of Trade and Industry Mpho Malie.
The summons demands that the newspaper, its editor Pofane Molungoa and the publishing company pay M200,000 (approx. US$26,500) in damages and cover the cost of the lawsuit, as well as any alternative relief granted by the court, at an interest rate of 18.5% per annum.
In its 6 June edition, “Mohahlaula” ran a front-page article entitled, “Malie tsoela! U mommeng”, which roughly translates to “Malie, spit-out what is in your mouth”.
The article alleged that certain individuals had convinced Minister Malie to allow them to bypass regulations so that they could build factories that do not meet operational standards. The article went on to suggest that there was a plot to undermine or topple Prime Minister Bethuel Mosisili.
According to Molungoa, he has credible sources, who can be subpoenaed to testify and verify the information contained in the article.
MISA’s Lesotho chapter (MILES) has condemned the action taken by the minister. The organisation is currently working to ensure that deliberations will be held on a media law audit of Lesotho’s laws. MILES hopes that this will facilitate the establishment of a media policy for Lesotho that will counter the use of lawsuits to silence media in the country.
