Betty, Shapwa sue nurse for defamation

Public health medical supplier Shapwa Kanyama and his wife Beata Kanyama, previously popularly known as Betty Davids, are suing northern-based nurse Mathilde Kadhikwa for N$200 000 each over comments she allegedly made when the power couple tied the knot in May this year.

Their lawyer, Sisa Namandje, wrote to Kadhikwa in June asking her to issue an unconditional apology to the couple within 24 hours over allegations she allegedly made.

A widely circulated audio clip, allegedly recorded by Kadhikwa, alleged that public funds were used to bankroll the wedding and that Shapwa was committing financial crimes and unlawfully pocketing government money while public health facilities lack basic supplies due to lack of funds.

N$10 million-dollar wedding

In the clip, it is alleged Kadhikwa said: “For a young child of his age, apparently the wedding was hosted to the tune of N$10 million. Just think for yourself, when will you get N$10 million to spend it in one day?

“It is possible that there are no drip bottles to administer on patients, there aren’t any plasters to apply on patients here. If one has to be administered drip, he has to bring his own material from home.

“Meanwhile, the person who has to supply this stuff is hosting a wedding of such magnitude and we are silent,” the translated clip added.

Comments defamatory

In an affidavit, Shapwa said the comments were defamatory, wrongful and infringed on his name, dignity, fame, credit and reputation.

“It imputes, suggests or directly implies that the second plaintiff [Beata] is married to a man who is dishonest; a corrupt businessman who is committing criminal acts in addition to embezzling public funds for his own benefit,” it read.

The defamatory statements were further made intentionally and with malice to lower and undermine his reputation, he added.

“The defamation was aggravated by the fact that the defendant made the statements immediately after the event, while it was still receiving a lot of publicity,” the affidavit read.

“The person has no knowledge of medicine at all and yet he has a tender to deliver medicine, fellow Namibians? Oh no, honestly, we really have to scrutinise these things closely,” the clip added.

The couple are demanding a combined N$400 000 from Kadhikwa, with a 20% per annum from the day of the judgment as well as an unconditional apology and punitive legal costs.

Statements intentional

Beata echoed her husband’s sentiments that the statements made in the clip were intentional and with malice, and added that Kadhikwa’s utterances had a direct and injurious effect on her status and dignity.

Last September, Beata successfully won a legal suit against Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) spokesperson Immanuel Nashinge, who was ordered to apologise and pay her N$60 000 for remarks in which he called her a prostitute.

Speaking to Namibian Sun yesterday, Kadhikwa said she has not yet seen the papers filed against her and will not comment until then.

She, however, added that she is informed that Betty has listed academic qualifications that are ‘interesting’.

“She would have to explain some of these listed qualifications in court,” a seemingly unfazed Kadhikwa said.