(MISA/IFEX) – On 10 March 2005, representatives of the English-language weekly “The Mirror” appeared before the High Court on civil defamation charges relating to a July 2003 article published in the paper. The newspaper’s sub-editor, Handsome Tlali Caswell, is the second defendant in the case and author of the article over which the plaintiff, Moeketse […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 10 March 2005, representatives of the English-language weekly “The Mirror” appeared before the High Court on civil defamation charges relating to a July 2003 article published in the paper. The newspaper’s sub-editor, Handsome Tlali Caswell, is the second defendant in the case and author of the article over which the plaintiff, Moeketse Vincent Malebo, launched his complaint.
Malebo claims that the article, titled “Is Malebo rightful owner or the people?”, defamed him as it insinuated that he had unjustifiably retained property, in the form of two tractors belonging to a community in northern Maseru at Thuathe, Roma Valley, and used it for his own personal gain.
“The Mirror” and Caswell are being sued together with Lephoi Moseme and Mont’si Namane. Moseme and Namane, both of whom are members of the Roma community, were quoted as sources in the allegedly defamatory article.
When the case adjourned on 10 March, Malebo had concluded his testimony and was being subjected to cross examination. No date has been set for continuation of the case.
