Arts and Entertainment Reporter
Hip hop artist and video vixen Christabel Stembeni Kikky Badass Mahlungwa has been ordered by the High Court in Masvingo to pay US$18,000 in defamation damages to prominent lawyer Rodney Saratoga Makausi.
This ruling stems from a March 2023 Instagram post in which Kikky accused Makausi of soliciting sex from her.
Background of the Case
- Instagram Post: The legal dispute began when Kikky made a public accusation against Makausi to her 235,000 followers on Instagram, which he claimed damaged his reputation.
- Lawsuit: In response to Kikky’s refusal to remove the post, Makausi sued her for US$500,000 in damages.
- Default Judgment: Kikky failed to file her Pre Trial Conference (PTC) issues as directed by Justice Garainesu Mawadze and did not attend the PTC on October 1, 2024. This led Makausi to apply for a default judgment. The court later amended the claim to US$60,000, ultimately awarding Makausi US$18,000.
Court Findings
Makausi testified that Kikky did not attempt to retract her post after they attempted to engage her on the matter. He emphasized that the defamatory allegations had severely affected his standing and reputation as a lawyer, a devout Seventh Day Adventist, and a respected family man in the community.
- Justice Zisengwe’s Ruling: Kikky’s plea to have the case dismissed based on the argument that Makausi could not demand civil damages in US dollars was rejected by Justice Zisengwe.
Makausi’s Statement
In court, Makausi expressed the impact of Kikky’s actions on his reputation:
“As a devout Christian, professional man, respected legal practitioner and officer of the court, in a fairly small city like Masvingo, my reputation and character are my currency. The respondent’s defamatory posts have however caused irreparable harm to that fama. The embarrassment and ridicule that I have suffered as a result of her defamatory post is borne for no reason at all.”
He further stated that while it may not be possible to fully compensate for the injury, an award of damages would help address the harm to his reputation.
Conclusion
The ruling against Kikky Badass serves as a reminder of the serious consequences that can arise from public accusations and the importance of maintaining one’s reputation in both personal and professional spheres.
Makausi was represented by Samuel Banda from Advocate’s Chambers in Harare, and the case highlights the legal recourse available for individuals facing defamation.
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