High Court Orders Al Jazeera to Surrender Equipment Amid $2 Million Defamation Lawsuit over Gold Mafia Documentary

High Court Orders Al Jazeera to Surrender Equipment Amid $2 Million Defamation Lawsuit over Gold Mafia Documentary

The High Court of Zimbabwe has ordered the attachment of all properties owned by the Al Jazeera Media Network in the country.

This decision comes in response to a $2 million lawsuit filed by Mehluli Dube, a source featured in Al Jazeera’s investigative documentary Gold Mafia.

Dube claims that the documentary has tarnished his reputation and is seeking damages for defamation.

Also Read: ‘Al Jazeera To Pay Ambassador Uebert Angel Millions For Defamation Of Character Over Gold Mafia’

Mehluli Dube Accuses Al Jazeera of Implicating Him in ‘Gold Mafia’ Documentary Scandal

Dube, who approached the court with a good employment record and solid relationships in his previous job, alleged that Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia documentary unfairly implicated him in corrupt activities related to gold trading.

The documentary aired between March 23 and April 14 last year, comprising four episodes that claimed to expose the illegal gold trade involving prominent individuals in Zimbabwe.

In particular, Dube pointed to Episode 2, titled Smoke and Mirrors, which allegedly implicated him in signing licenses for a known gold smuggler, Kamlesh Pattini.

“The documentary has caused significant damage to my reputation,” Dube stated, adding that the episode garnered over 2.8 million views and sparked intense public scrutiny.

Legal Proceedings Escalate as Dube’s Attempts for Amicable Resolution with Al Jazeera Fail

On May 15, Dube’s legal team reportedly reached out to Al Jazeera, seeking proof of the allegations against him. However, the media network reportedly failed to respond.

After further correspondence, the two parties could not reach an amicable settlement, prompting Dube to escalate the matter to court.

Court’s Analysis

Justice Siyabona Musithu, in his ruling, noted that the alleged defamatory statements attributed to Al Jazeera establish a prima facie cause of action.

He emphasized the importance of testing the truthfulness of the allegations in a court of law, balancing the rights to freedom of expression and the protection of an individual’s reputation.

“It is in the public interest that the truthfulness of the allegations carried in the documentary, which attracted public interest, be tested,” said Justice Musithu.

Also Read: “Gold Mafia”: Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo Threatens To Sue Al Jazeera For Defamation

Attachment Order Granted

In his judgment, Justice Musithu ordered the Sheriff to attach Al Jazeera’s laptops, computers, printers, and photographic equipment located at the Rainbow Towers Hotel, where the media network operates its bureau. The court determined that this action was necessary to confirm its jurisdiction over the defamation claim.

While Al Jazeera acknowledged owning equipment at the bureau, it argued that the items were tools of trade that could not be permanently seized. However, the court ruled that the attachment of these properties was justified given the circumstances of the case.

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