Freelance Journalist Stanley Gama last week appeared in court, together with four other journalists from The Standard newspaper, as state witnesses in the criminal defamation case against the Harare Mayor and eight councilors.Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and the councilors are alleged to have defamed businessman Philip Chiyangwa when a 54-page report compiled by the council accused Chiyangwa of corruption.
The state alleges Chiyangwa was defamed after the damning report was leaked to The Standard and The Sunday Times of South Africa before it was debated by the full council.
Gama, who first broke the story, told SW Radio that he found it strange the state subpoenaed him to become a witness in the trial.
I did my job as a journalist to expose a scandal; as such I dont know why the state has summoned me to be a witness. I will do my best to respond to their questions because its what the law says, that if you are subpoenaed you must attend court, Gama said.
He added: Ive no option but to attend, but as I said I dont know why Im a state witness.
The trial of Gama of Masunda and his councilors failed to takeover after their defence lawyers pointed out that an appeal for their clients to be removed from remand was still pending at the High Court. ?The trial magistrate postponed the case to June 22.
Chiyangwa is suing Masunda and the councilors for US$900 million as compensation for the damage to his name and reputation because of publication of the leaked report.
Post published in: Politics