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Alert

Lawsuits against several newspapers withdrawn

(MISA/IFEX) - 10 September 2010 - Following his notice to sue a number of newspapers early this year, the Botswana-based Chief of the Bakgatla tribe, Kgosi Kgafela, has withdrawn the lawsuits in an out of court settlement, which has since been made an order of the court. This is according to Mmegi, one of the newspapers which were sued.

The other newspapers are Monitor, Sunday Standard and the Echo. The application against Mmegi and its journalists has also been withdrawn on condition that Kgosi Kgafela pay the newspaper the cost of the suit.

BACKGROUND:

Since the installation of Kgafela as Kgosi of the Bakgatla, a number of allegations were reported indicating an increase in the number of floggings of people in his district. Some of the alleged victims took the chief and some of his royals to court and when the media continued reporting the case, Kgafela instituted a contempt suit against the papers. His trial is still continuing.