19930115 TZHC Dar es Salaam

19930115 TZHC Dar es Salaam

The court found that the words published by the defendants were defamatory of the plaintiff, were not true, and caused him loss of reputation, employment opportunities, and social standing. The plaintiff was entitled to substantial damages as the publications were widely circulated, no apology was made, and the defendants failed to justify the statements.

Citation
19930115 TZHC Dar es Salaam
Parties
Plaintiff: Donavan M. Manyonga; Defendant: Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Ltd.; Defendant: Print Park (T) Limited
Court
TZHC
Jurisdiction
Tanzania
Judgment Date
15 January 1993
Procedural Posture
Civil Case / Judgment After Ex Parte Hearing
Outcome
Judgment for the plaintiff
Legal Topics
Defamation, Libel, Damages, Reputation, Publication
Source Language
English
Tort Law Media Law Defamation Libel Damages Reputation Publication

Case Brief

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Parties

Donavan M. Manyonga

Plaintiff

Tanzania Standard (Newspapers) Ltd.

Defendant

Print Park (T) Limited

Defendant

Procedural Posture

Civil Case / Judgment After Ex Parte Hearing

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the publications by the defendants were defamatory of the plaintiff
  2. 2 Whether the publications were true or justified
  3. 3 Whether the plaintiff suffered damages as a result of the publications

Ratio Decidendi

The court found that the words published by the defendants were defamatory of the plaintiff, were not true, and caused him loss of reputation, employment opportunities, and social standing. The plaintiff was entitled to substantial damages as the publications were widely circulated, no apology was made, and the defendants failed to justify the statements.

Court Disposition

Judgment for the plaintiff

Orders

  • Defendants to pay the plaintiff general damages of fifteen million Tanzanian shillings (15,000,000/=)
  • Interest on the decretal amount at 12% per annum from the date of judgment until payment in full