Former Walvis Bay CEO drags The Namibian to court

Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 12 November 2009

FORMER Walvis Bay CEO, Augustinus Katiti is suing The Namibian newspaper for N$300,000 for injuring his dignity, feelings, self esteem, self respect and reputation after the paper published an article on 21 November 2007 headlined Katiti charged for theft.



In his particulars of claim Katiti listed Free Press of Namibia that published The Namibian as first defendant, editor of the daily, Gwen Lister as second defendant, third defendant as Adam Hartman, the author of the story and the fourth defendant as Regina Cynthia Kotchanova for communicating the allegations contained in the article.

Katiti claims that because of the story which alleged that he had been charged with theft after he allegedly breached a contract he signed early 2007 when the Remax franchise was sold to him and his business, Beauhomes Real Estate.

The Namibian quoting Kotchanova reported that Katiti as per the sale agreement would buy and take over the business with all the equipment and furniture as from 1 June 2007 and pay the last instalment of N$775,000 in September.

Kotchanova in the story claims that Katiti failed to pay her because she owed the Receiver of Revenue money.

The story also alleged that Katiti had sold office equipment and furniture valued at about N$100,000.

In his claim Katiti said the story was understood by readers to mean that he had been charged of theft; was being criminally prosecuted; he is a thief and an alleged criminal; that he does not honour his contractual obligations and is therefore an amoral and untrustworthy person.

He further said the story was understood by readers to mean that he illegally sold office equipment and furniture which did not belong to him for personal gain and that he would be possibly be facing further legal action as a result.

“The aforesaid report, alternatively article, alternatively comments are per se defamatory and injurious to the Plaintiff...” Katiti said.