Gloves are off in a fight between The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), and Khato Civils. The civil engineering company, and its chairman feels defamed, and therefore demands an apology from the UDC.
“The aggrieved, accordingly, challenge the Umbrella For Democratic Change, in vindication of its claims, to produce verifiable evidence substantiating the malicious and injurious claims made in its Media Release. It is demanded that the same produce the evidence, within ten (10) days of the release hereof. In the event of failure so to do, the aggrieved shall take advise on legal recourse, to vindicate their names. The aggrieved are content to appear before court, should the Umbrella For Democratic Change so elect, to answer to any civil claim or criminal accusation.” Mongezi Myani, Khato Civils Group Chief Executive Officer highlighted.
Khato Civils was responding to a media release issued by the UDC yesterday which expressed displeasure on Mr. Simbi Phiri’s remarks. The party was not happy that Khato Civils Chairman accused the opposition politicians of lying in an effort to stop the Masama-Mmamashia project.
Phiri was directly quoted by The Wrap Botswana online publication saying, “This project should have long been delivered, but it was facing rejection in the previous parliaments, Opposition politicians were basically lying, trying to stop the projects, that is really bad, it can delay developments in a country”
Meanwhile, Khato Civils media release by its CEO suggests that Mr. Phiri’s words has been misconstrued. According to the company, their Chairman never mentioned opposition parties, but instead referred to competitors as “opposition”.
“Specifically, the aggrieved wish to put it on the record that the coinage, “the opposition”, as used the interview conducted by The Argus Online publication, had no specific or implied reference to the political opposition” Myani clarified.
Khato Civils demands an apology, and retraction from the UDC. The company term those who think black-owned excel through corruption as “narrow-minded, and having backward mind-set.”
