By TellZim Reporter
Zanu PF member Esau Mutanho is facing a US$150,000 lawsuit as compensation for violently disrupting the launch of the Footprints in the Chains: The Life of Job Sikhala book in Masvingo last week.
The author, Munyaradzi Angero Savanhu, through his lawyers Mhishi Nkomo Legal Practice, has given Mutanho seven days to pay or face legal action.
The book, which chronicles the political persecution of opposition politician Job Sikhala, was being launched at Charles Austin Theatre when chaos broke out and Mutanho was captured on video grabbing books from the stage and hurling them at attendees.
“Our instructions are to demand, as we hereby do, that you immediately pay the sum of US$150,000 being compensation suffered by our client as a result of your unruly interruption at the launch within seven days. Failing which, we have instructions to institute legal proceedings without further notice,” reads part of the letter.
Savanhu is seeking damages for vandalized equipment, stolen and destroyed books, venue and transport costs, and lost revenue from book sales. The author says 350 copies of the book were lost during the fracas.
The legal notice also alleges that Mutanho and a group of others not only destroyed property but also physically targeted speakers. One individual reportedly threw a wooden pulpit at Dr. Takavafira Zhou, a guest speaker on stage.
Savanhu told TellZim News that he had lost 200 copies of the books and 150 copies of his other books that were meant to be sold at the event.
He also said he had failed to make a report to the police as he was told that the matter had to be reported to the DISPOL first before they could take note of the matter.
Masvingo Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa however denied saying no such
