Malawi Congress Party (MCP) key witness in the presidential elections case Anthony Bendulo has been sued y Nu-TREAD Limited and Mr. Michael Antoine for defamation.
In a summon letter seen by this publication, lawyers representing Antoine and Nu-TREAD Limited, Naphambo and Company alleged that Bendulo claimed to have cracked down the said person and Company that they are involved in Identification Card (ID) buying syndicate aimed at rigging the forth coming presidential elections salted for July 2.
For the past few weeks, social media was awash with reports that people suspected to be Democratic Progressive Party agents are moving around some parts of the country buying National IDs to use in the rigging schemes.
According to social media reports, those doing the job were masquerading as MEDEF agents who have been sent by the government to give loans to people.
Bendulo has been posting on his Facebook page firing warning shots to those involved in the national IDs buying syndicate.
Responding to Bendulo’s accusations, the lawyers refuted the allegations.
Lawyers for the claimant further added that every allegation made by Bendulo is false and is aimed at tarnishing the image of their client.
“These false statements have had the effect of tarnishing the image of our client and NU-Tread Limited, as thy created the impression that our client and Nu-Tread are dishonest and are involved in an illegal scheme to rig the forthcoming elections.” reads the letter.
Bendulo has further been asked to take down the Facebook posts and publish new ones apologizing to Antoine and Nu-Tread Limited saying that he (Antoine) is receiving threats from people who comment on the alleged posts.
“In addition you have not deleted the said treats from your Facebook page nor have you issued responses to these comments asking those commentators to desist from issuing such threats or committing any violent and illegal acts aimed at our client,” reads the letter.
Bendulo has been has been told to remove the posts immediately or face consequences if the action is not taken within the stipulated time.
Meanwhile, Bendulo has responded trough his lawyers Kainja and Dzonzi on the matter where he maintained his stand that he has evidence of the said allegations.
“Based on the above information our client posted on his Facebook the information which your client allege is defamatory. please note that we viewed the evidence on the issue and the same proves the allegations in question. It is therefore considered opinion that our client has a defense of justification against the alleged defamatory post,”