(MISA/IFEX) – Phillip Chiyangwa, a ruling party member of parliament (MP) has threatened to sue “The Daily News”, unless the newspaper apologises unconditionally over a story that a company Chiyangwa owns owes the National Social Security Agency (NSSA) Z$12 Million (approx. US$2 million). According to a 25 October 2001 report in “The Herald”, Chiyangwa contends […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Phillip Chiyangwa, a ruling party member of parliament (MP) has threatened to sue “The Daily News”, unless the newspaper apologises unconditionally over a story that a company Chiyangwa owns owes the National Social Security Agency (NSSA) Z$12 Million (approx. US$2 million).
According to a 25 October 2001 report in “The Herald”, Chiyangwa contends that he no longer owns the defaulting company. NSSA is a social security agency that was set up by the government to collect and manage compulsory pension funds on behalf of workers. In the story, titled “NSSA sues Chiyangwa over $12 Million Debt,” “The Daily News” reported that the agency had taken Chiyangwa to court over his failure to service his debt. The MP’s lawyer, Terrence Hussein,
has argued that Chiyangwa no longer owns the company. In a letter that gives “The Daily News” seven days to respond before legal action is taken, Hussein said that the newspaper had severely tarnished the MP’s image and seriously jeopardised a number of business ventures and
agreements he was to conclude.
“The Daily News” story was based on legal correspondence between Chiyangwa, NSSA and the agency’s lawyers. Though he was asked to comment on the matter by the newspaper, Chiyangwa shot back at the reporter, saying that he had over Z$100 million in his back account. “I was assisting the owners of the company, who had financial problems. Everyone has debts, why do you want to act like angels? Why is it everything that involves Chiyangwa has drawn a lot of interest? What is so special about Chiyangwa owing NSSA $2 million? Is that money? I have over $100 million in my bank account,” said Chiyangwa in reply to enquiries by “The Daily News”.
