Footballer Kuda Mahachi sues Ezra Tshisa Sibanda f...

Footballer Kuda Mahachi sues Ezra Tshisa Sibanda for US$100 000

Lawyers for SuperSport FC's Mahachi deny child abuse allegation by ex-wife — Kuda Mahachi

Zim Now Writer

Suspended SuperSport United and Zimbabwe Warriors midfielder Kuda Mahachi is suing journalist Ezra Tshisa Sibanda for US$100 000 for defamation.

Mahachi says he wants compensation for damages to his fair name and reputation as an individual, as well as to his career as a soccer player.

In May 2022, Mahachi was suspended by his DSTV premiership club to afford him the opportunity to travel to Zimbabwe for court as he was facing abuse charges related to the serious burns sustained by his son, Diego. He was later cleared of the offences.

Mahachi says the damages he now seeks arise from defamatory material concerning him written and broadcasted by Ezra Tshisa Sibanda.

Mahachi sent summons to Sibanda alleging that on May 7, 2022, Sibanda broadcasted a 33 minutes video on his Facebook profile where he stated that there was an allegation that plaintiff's four-year-old son, Diego, had been burnt by plaintiff in South Africa.

Sibanda proceeded to make statements of fact that the plaintiff's son was admitted at Milo hospital in huge pain with the likelihood that a chunk of his leg would be cut off.

In this context, Sibanda specifically referred to Mahachi by name at different intervals of the broadcast and made statements that Mahachi’s son was in hospital because he was burnt by his father.

Mahachi also said on May 17, 2022, Sibanda wrote on his Facebook profile that Mahachi was unable to send medical assistance to his son in hospital since the son was subject to a criminal case and no accused person could send people to help administer medication to the victim.

With this in light, Mahachi indicated that Sibanda’s statements as complained were made without Mahachi’s consent and they were not based on truth, fair comment, and justification.