Dangote Industries drops Shamenda defamation case

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Fackson Shamenda

DANGOTE Industries Zambia Limited has discontinued its libel suit against Minister of Labour Fackson Shamenda.
According to a notice of discontinuation, the cement company notified High Court deputy registrar Charles Zulu that it has wholly stopped the proceedings against Mr Shamenda.
Dangote was awarded damages for libel amounting to K112,045.84 in a default judgment by Mr Zulu against Mr Shamenda.
Dangote and Mr Shamenda had earlier notified the court that they intended to settle the matter outside court.
Mr Shamenda is alleged to have caused publication of a libellous statement in which he accused one of the company’s employees of trying to bribe him.
Dangote claims that the words used by Mr Shamenda were sensational and that he knew that the allegation of attempted bribery was untrue, adding that the court should infer that the minister knew that his words were slanderous and libellous.

 

The company also claims that Mr Shamenda made the statement without any official from the company and that the words were reckless and that he knew that the prospect of political mileage outweighed the prospect of material loss.
“Dangote Group of Companies is of African and international repute and being a public servant, Mr Shamenda had the knowledge that the said publication was arbitrary and unconstitutional,” part of the claim reads.
The company was demanding damages for slander, libel and special damages amounting to K112,042.84.

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