SUSPENDED Zifa vice-president Omega Sibanda’s $10 000 defamation lawsuit against Norkel Security was struck off the roll at the Bulawayo Civil Court due to lack of evidence.
Magistrate Evelyn Mashavakure dismissed the case after Sibanda failed to prove that the security company had defamed him.
Sibanda had accused the security company and its security officer Athanasius Ngano of falsely claiming that he bulldozed his way into Barbourfields Stadium.
The company allegedly said he forced the guards to allow 10 fans into the stadium without paying for a soccer match between Highlanders and Caps United on May 4.
The lawsuit arose from a letter Ngano wrote to Premier Soccer League Chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele on May 5 complaining about Sibanda’s conduct.
Part of Ngano’s letter reads: “Zifa vice-president gave us a challenge as he had to force us to allow about 10 people free entry into the stadium.
“Our steward only noticed Ezra Tshisa Sibanda (former Radio 2 disk jockey), Samukeliso Silengane and eight others whom we failed to identify.”
The security guard also claimed Sibanda manhandled their official.
“We did not expect such action from a high profile figure,” submitted the security company.
Sibanda claimed the allegations had defamed him and demanded the security firm pay $10 000 damages plus interest at a prescribed rate of 5%, but Norkel maintained that its report was true and was not aimed at defaming him.-SouthernEye