Leepile triumphs against Phumaphi

Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi
Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi

High Court Judge Justice Singh Walia last week dismissed a marathon defamation suit against a prominent journalist Methaetsile Leepile by a senior High Court Judge Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi.

In the contentious case, which has been before the High Court for 13 years, Justice Phumaphi sued The Voice newspaper, its editor, publishers and Leepile for P850,000 for defaming him. The suit arose after Leepile’s draft study document critiquing the 2000 Balopi Commission preceding the Botswana constitutional amendments of section 77, 78 and 79, received unauthorised publication in the weekly tabloid in July 2001.

The paper, which Leepile argued effectively in court was an internal discussion document meant for a few scholarly friends to comment on, went under the heading, ‘The ethnic composition of the public service - The case of the Administration of Justice and the Attorney General’s Chambers’. While the document was sent to a peer at Mmegi for feedback, it was circulated and ended up being published in The Voice without his consent, Leepile argued in court.

Editor's Comment
Congratulations Anicia Gaothuse!

The contest had 10 beautiful young girls as finalists and unfortunately only one could wear the crown.The judges picked Anicia Gaothuse. To all those who feel their contestant should have won ahead of Anicia for whatever reason, hardly; the judges found Anicia to be the best among the best, so desist from disrespecting our newly crowned queen on social media or anywhere else, for that matter! Each of the 10 beautiful young women had supporters...

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