A wanted Rwandan genocide suspect, Vincent Murekezi has dragged to court one of the privately owned radio Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) for defamation over a story that the suspect is illegally staying in the country having had committed genocide crimes in Rwanda and that he is wanted by Inter-pol.
On November 16 and 17, Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) reported that Murekezi is a suspect of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and is on wanted list both from his native country Rwanda and Interpol but has been living freely in Malawi because of his deep pockets which he uses to bribe government officials to buy his freedom.
The story angered Murekezi who through his lawyer Chimwemwe Sikwese of Sikwese and Company has dragged the radio station to court for defamation.
“We act for and on behalf of Mr. Vincent Murekezi who is a prominent business person in the city of Lilongwe, hereinafter referred as Our Client.
“On 16th November, 2016, you published and or caused to be published in your News Programme on Zodiak Broadcasting Station Radio at around 7:00pm and repeated on the 17th November, 2016 at 7:00am and 7:30am news an allegation that our client is illegally staying in the country having had committed genocide crimes in Rwanda and that he is wanted by Inter-pol,” reads the letter in part.
The letter further reads that: “These charges amount to a very serious libel and slander on our client and have caused him considerable distress and embarrassment. All the allegations made against him are false and your attack on him was unjustified.
“In the circumstances, our client requires from you as a matter of urgency a full and unequivocal public retraction and apology in terms to be approved by us, and an understanding not to repeat these allegations. We have also advised him that he is entitled to substantial compensation for injury to his reputation and feelings, as to which we invite your proposals. Our client will also require payment by you of all legal costs he has incurred in this matter.”
Marekezi gave Zodiak today November 21, 2016 as the last day for the station to respond on the matter or face legal action.
Meanwhile Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) is yet to respond on the matter.
