Minister, Kopulande sue Cornelius Mweetwa for defamation

UPND deputy spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa and three others have been sued by Energy Minister Mathew Nkhuwa and Sebastian Kopulande for defamation.

Mr Mweetwa, who is also Choma Member of Parliament is alleged to have accused the two PF officials of being involved in corrupt oil deals and the proceeds therefrom.

Mr Kopulande, the Chembe MP and Mr Nkhuwa have cited Mr Mweetwa, Oracle Media Production Limited trading as The Mast newspaper, Editor-in-Chief Larry Monze and reporter Speedwell Mupuchi as defendants in the matter.

The plaintiffs stated that on July 8 this year, an inflammatory and false article was published in the Mast newspaper with the headline: “Nkhuwa, Kopulande stranded with fuel, reveals Mweetwa.”

This is contained a statement of claim filed in the Lusaka High Court.

Mr Kopulande and Mr Nkhuwa stated that they would show at trial that the words in their ordinary and natural meaning were understood to mean that they were corrupt individuals.

The duo are now seeking a declaration that the article complained of was defamatory against them.

They want an order directing Mr Mweetwa and the Mast newspaper to publish a retraction and apology to them, which retraction and apology must carry the same prominence as the inflammatory article.

They also want damages for emotional distress, anguish and public ridiculed occasioned as a result of the publication of the article.