(MISA/IFEX) – Tanzanian media owner and prominent businessman Reginald Mengi and several of the journalists working in his media outlets have been slapped with a 100 billion shilling (approx. US$8.6 million) libel suit allegedly for defaming the executive chairperson of the Quality Group Limited, Yusuf Manji. The historic libel suit comes a few days after […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Tanzanian media owner and prominent businessman Reginald Mengi and several of the journalists working in his media outlets have been slapped with a 100 billion shilling (approx. US$8.6 million) libel suit allegedly for defaming the executive chairperson of the Quality Group Limited, Yusuf Manji.
The historic libel suit comes a few days after the 24th issue of the new English daily newspaper “This Day”, owned by Mengi, exposed a deal in which the Quality Group Company limited, owned by Manji, allegedly sold its Quality Plaza complex for 83.5 billion Tanzanian shillings (approx. US$6.26 million) to the Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF), which paid for the purchase from the retirement benefits of working public servants. “The property sold to the PSPF is said to have been grossly over-valued,” said the “This Day” issue of 23 March 2006.
Another story recently covered in the same paper involved the National Social Security Fund’s (NSSF) purchase of a property for 47.5 billion shillings (approx. US$4.1 million) from the Quality Group Limited; this property was also said to be highly over-valued.
Manji was represented by his Professional Centre Advocates and testified in the High Court in Dar es Salaam on 24 March that he and his business had been seriously affected by false and malicious media coverage by outlets belonging to Mengi.
Also being sued are journalists Evarist Mwitumba, Fumbuka Ng’ wanakilala, James Mpinga, Lucas Liganga and Mbaraka Islam, as well as “This Day” editor Kulikoni and Media Solutions Limited, the publishers of “This Day”.
Manji wants Mengi to pay him personally 500 million shillings (approx. US$411,000) in damages for false and malicious allegations made against him to the police by Mengi. He also wants all the defendants to pay him 2 million shillings (approx. US$1600) for injuries resulting from the falsehoods, and another 10 billion shillings (approx. US$8.2 million) in general damages. In addition, he demands an apology from the publishers.
Manji also wants Quality Group Limited, the second plaintiff in the suit, to be paid 5 million shillings (approx. US$4100) in special damages and a staggering 90 billion shillings (approx. US$74 million) in general damages to be assessed by the court.
In addition, Manji wants the defendants to pay for the costs of his suit and the damages to carry an interest of seven percent per annum from the date of decree.
