Police detectives sue CIO whistleblower

By Daniel Nemukuyu

Two top detectives have slapped an informer in the President’s Office with a $50 000 defamation suit.

The detectives — Chief Superintendent Nyaradzai Majachani and Inspector Amon Pazvakavambwa — have approached the High Court claiming defamation damages from a CIO informer Mr Delish Nguwaya.

Harare lawyer Arshiel Mugiya of Mugiya & Macharaga is representing the duo.

The two departments recently clashed over the manner in which Mr Nguwaya was arrested over allegations of extorting $20 000 from a Chinese national.

Chief Supt Majachani and Insp Pazvakavambwa said Mr Nguwanya had allegedly written letters to Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Chombo and Police Deputy Commissioner-General Josephine Shambare accusing them of soliciting for a $3 500 bribe.

He also allegedly accused the two detectives of threatening him with death. However, in paragraph seven of the plaintiffs’ declaration, the amount demanded as a bribe was put at $5 000.

“In both documents the defendant made wild claims and blatant lies that plaintiffs in the course of their duties as police officers, had coerced and threatened the defendant with death and untold hardship should he fail to give them the sum of $5 000 in order for the plaintiff to drop criminal charges, which defendant was facing,” reads the declaration.

The two top cops argued that the contents of the two letters were highly defamatory.

“The contents of both documents are an unrestrained scathing attack and assault on the persons of the plaintiff. They are clearly wrongful and defamatory directed to cause serious harm on the reputation and standing of the plaintiffs.

“They are designed and couched in a manner that brings ridicule, hatred and contempt on plaintiffs,” reads the declaration.

Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers issued out the summons on behalf of the two detectives, who argue that the contents of the letters portrayed them as dishonest officers, who do not have any moral fibre.

They also submitted that the documents painted them as corrupt senior officers, who abuse their positions to engage in criminal activities. The documents, according to the declaration, have damaged the detectives’ good names, reputation, fame and character.

To that end, Chief Supt Majachani is claiming $30 000 from Mr Nguwaya, while Insp Pazvakavambwa is suing for $20 000 from the same defendant.