A National Housing Enterprise northern civil engineer has filed a N$100 000 defamation lawsuit against a member of the public, who allegedly posted on various WhatsApp groups that he was wanted for scamming.
Indileni Iipinge has turned to his lawyers to claim N$100 000 in damages against a certain Sylvester Mutilifa.
In addition to the money, Iipinge, through his lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, is also demanding an apology.
“As a result of your defamatory statements, the context in which they are made, the aggravating features of those statements and the impact thereof on our client’s reputation and the injury to his dignity, our client suffered damages in the amount of N$100 000, which you are liable to pay our client,” read the letter of demand.
Mutilifa has been given until 30 October 2021 to meet the demand.
Mutilifa is said to have distributed content and pictures of Iipinge on various WhatsApp groups.
“Urgently seeking information about his person in the picture. We just got scammed by him please; spread to other groups. He is from Windhoek. Contact Rural 081 269 963 2; please don’t let this scum get away,” (sic) the post read.
Amoomo said the statement is defamatory and intent to mean their client is a fraudster, scams people, and cannot be trusted.
“We are instructed that the above statements were made wrongfully and unlawfully – and with the intention to injure our client’s reputation, dignity and thereby lower his esteem and repute in the eyes of those you uttered them to.”