Simbarashe Mtembo

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO-In a bid to spruce up its alleged waning popularity and a battered image, embattled Errymapple Junior School is threatening to sue The Mirror for not disclosing the names of teachers who were forced to sign summons.

The school has since engaged the services of Leopold Mudisi of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners. The teachers were allegedly coerced into signing summons to restitute the school between US$1 200 and US$1 600 for terminating contracts without giving due notice.

However, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Country and Regional director, Thabani Moyo, said the media cannot be forced to reveal its sources and disputes should be handled by professional Media bodies. 

“Any person who feels aggrieved by the media there are professional avenues to use such as the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC), and the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) which can arbitrate and lead to a lasting solution which is cost effective.

“However, the media has the right to protect its sources which is enshrined in Section 51 of the Constitution. No single person can instigate the media to violate this constitutional provision, and if there is need for such a person to violate the constitution, the media also reserves the right to approach relevant authorities to seek correction toward that direction,” said Moyo.

Errymapple is said to have an exodus of staff owing to alleged abuse and flouting of labour laws by the school’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and owner Ashell Ruswa.

In one of the leaked audios in possession of The Mirror, Ruswa could be heard allegedly harassing one of teachers and blocking her from collecting her property without signing the summon. Ruswa also told the teacher that she can phone Police officers manning all roadblocks around Zvishavane to block her from going out of town. The teachers’ parents were made guarantors to the claims.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

The Mirror was yesterday served with a letter from the law firm dated February 27, 2023 demanding that the names of the teachers be released in seven days or legal proceedings will be instituted.

The letter alleges that the article released in the issue of February 10-16, 2023 was unverified because the names of the affected teachers were not released in the story.

“In that article we have noted that there is no disclosure of the names of the alleged employees who have been victimized as your paper portrayed it. This then makes your article premised on unverified facts because the names of the teachers have not been disclosed…your failure to disclose the names of the employees  concerned proves that your sources are not credible and that the article was a mere smear on our clients..

“By copy of this letter, we hereby demand that you furnish us with the names of the employees concerned within seven days of receipt of this letter failing which we shall be setting in motion civil proceedings for defamation of character and claim at a higher scale,” reads part of the letter.