Paul Nyathi

The High Court has ended the high level internet row between comedian Felistas Murata, best known as Mai Titi, and her ex-friend Memory Muyaka which had spilled into court where the latter was demanding $500,000 defamation damages.

Muyaka, the owner of Khloe’s Home Decor (Private) Limited, has slapped Murata with a lawsuit accusing her of publishing falsehoods that she is a prostitute.

This happened between November last year and April this year after the comedian made several posts on her Facebook page which has over 170,000 followers.

Murata also claimed that Muyaka was a witch and a cultist baying for her blood.

In its judgement, the court ordered Mai Titi to pay the $500 000 defamation damages to Muyaka.

High Court judge Justice Erica Ndewere in her ruling said: “Whereupon after reading documents filed on record and hearing counsel, it is ordered that the defendant pays the plaintiff in the sum of $500 000 and the prescribed interest rate starting from the date of judgment up to the date of payment in full.”

Muyaka was ordered to pay the costs of the suit.

In her submissions to court Muyaka said the postings made by Murata degraded her social standing as a married woman, a business person, and as a Christian.

“She is a businesswoman who is a director and shareholder of Khloe’s Home and Decor (Private) Limited, a business which is into home decor and design,” the court papers read.

“On several dates between the 17th of November 2019 and 3 April 2020, Murata who has over 170 000 followers on Facebook published several broadcasts on Facebook and WhatsApp platforms about the plaintiff whom she also calls Mai Khloe, Mai Maketeni.

“The said broadcasts stated that the plaintiff was a prostitute, a witch, a gossiper, and someone who blackmails her clients.”

Muyaka’s lawyers said the statements were both wrongful and defamatory of the plaintiff who is a business person and a legally married woman who is highly regarded in her community.

They also accused the entertainer of publishing that Muyaka and three other unnamed people were part of the Illuminati secret society that is believed to be involved in Satanism and that they wanted to kill Murata.

“This was false and intended by the defendant to impute that plaintiff is an evil person. This statement is wrongful and defamatory of the plaintiff who is a Christian,” they wrote in the summons.