Ex-governor wins defamation suit against baby mama
Former Omaheke Region governor Festus Ueitele and suspended Gobabis human resources manager Frieda Shimakeleni have scored a win against ministry of youth official Veronia Mokaleng-Kuzeeko over defamatory remarks she made on several WhatsApp groups.
Mokaleng-Kuzeeko and Ueitele have a son together.
Ueitele and Shimakeleni sued Mokaleng-Kuzeeko for posting defamatory statements to the Omaheke Freedom Solidarity, Right to Shelter and Swapo Solidarity Freedom WhatsApp groups.
The duo had sought N$400 000 each but were awarded N$45 000 each, while their legal fees amounting to N$62 000 will also be paid by Mokaleng-Kuzeeko.
Sowing division, thievery
In an affidavit, Shimakeleni said Mokaleng-Kuzeeko claimed she was destroying the Swapo Party, was sowing division within the party and was ensuring residents of Gobabis continued to live in poverty.
She was also accused of being a tribalist who caused the death of former Gobabis municipality CEO Ignatius Thudinyane, who died due to Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Ueitele said Mokaleng-Kuzeeko alleged that he had gained his wealth via corrupt means.
He was further accused of trying to pay the dowry for his son – whom he shares with Mokaleng-Kuzeeko – with stolen cattle, he said in an affidavit.
Humble pie
In an apology to Ueitele and Shimakeleni, Mokaleng-Kuzeeko admitted to making the defamatory statements and accepted fault for them.
“I fully accept that the statements I made and circulated were defamatory of the reputation of Mrs Frieda Shimakeleni and Mr Festus Ueitele and violated their dignity. I hereby retract such defamatory and false statements about and concerning Mrs Shimakeleni and Mr Ueitele and their respective families,” she said.
She added that she never should have made the statements.
“I accept that I should never have made such reckless and defamatory statements in the first place.
“I shall equally desist from making such defamatory and false statements in future. I shall also not incite others to circulate such statements or otherwise rely on them,” she said.
Mokaleng-Kuzeeko and Ueitele have a son together.
Ueitele and Shimakeleni sued Mokaleng-Kuzeeko for posting defamatory statements to the Omaheke Freedom Solidarity, Right to Shelter and Swapo Solidarity Freedom WhatsApp groups.
The duo had sought N$400 000 each but were awarded N$45 000 each, while their legal fees amounting to N$62 000 will also be paid by Mokaleng-Kuzeeko.
Sowing division, thievery
In an affidavit, Shimakeleni said Mokaleng-Kuzeeko claimed she was destroying the Swapo Party, was sowing division within the party and was ensuring residents of Gobabis continued to live in poverty.
She was also accused of being a tribalist who caused the death of former Gobabis municipality CEO Ignatius Thudinyane, who died due to Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Ueitele said Mokaleng-Kuzeeko alleged that he had gained his wealth via corrupt means.
He was further accused of trying to pay the dowry for his son – whom he shares with Mokaleng-Kuzeeko – with stolen cattle, he said in an affidavit.
Humble pie
In an apology to Ueitele and Shimakeleni, Mokaleng-Kuzeeko admitted to making the defamatory statements and accepted fault for them.
“I fully accept that the statements I made and circulated were defamatory of the reputation of Mrs Frieda Shimakeleni and Mr Festus Ueitele and violated their dignity. I hereby retract such defamatory and false statements about and concerning Mrs Shimakeleni and Mr Ueitele and their respective families,” she said.
She added that she never should have made the statements.
“I accept that I should never have made such reckless and defamatory statements in the first place.
“I shall equally desist from making such defamatory and false statements in future. I shall also not incite others to circulate such statements or otherwise rely on them,” she said.
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