South African-based Zimbabwean lawyer and CEO of Great Hope Funeral Service, Moreboys Munetsi, has welcomed the judgment of the Gauteng Division of the High Court, Pretoria, delivered by Justice Lenyai on 24 July 2026 in Case No. 2026-090944, concerning defamatory statements published on social media.
Munetsi said the court found that statements and video content published by the respondent (Louisa Jembe) on 18 and 19 April 2026 were defamatory and infringed his dignity.
As a result, the court declared the publications defamatory and ordered the respondent to remove the offending Facebook posts and any related publications from her social media platforms within 48 hours of the order.
The court further ordered the respondent to issue an unconditional public apology by publishing a video retracting all defamatory statements made against Munetsi, with the apology to be published within 48 hours.
The court held that even if the offending publications had already been removed, the respondent remains obliged to publish the unconditional apology.
The respondent was also ordered to pay the legal costs of the application on a party-and-party scale, including the costs of counsel on Scale B.
According to Munetsi, the judgment reaffirms that freedom of expression does not extend to publishing false and defamatory allegations that unjustifiably damage another person’s reputation and dignity.
He said the ruling underscores the principle that individuals who misuse social media platforms to spread defamatory content may be held legally accountable.
Munetsi expressed appreciation to his legal team, the court and everyone who supported the pursuit of justice.
He said he remains committed to protecting his reputation through lawful means while encouraging responsible and respectful use of social media.
He said his legal representatives are closely monitoring compliance with the High Court order.
Should the respondent fail to comply with any aspect of the judgment, including the removal of the defamatory publications, the publication of the unconditional public apology, or any other obligation imposed by the court, Munetsi’s legal team will immediately approach the High Court for an order declaring the respondent to be in contempt of court.
As part of those proceedings, Munetsi said he will request the court to grant all appropriate relief, including the issuance of a warrant of arrest should the court find the respondent to be in contempt.
Munetsi said he considers the matter concluded in accordance with the High Court’s judgment and will not be making any further comments beyond ensuring full compliance with the court’s order.
He added that the respondent had been misled by social media lawyers who told her nothing would happen to her.
He said she has 48 hours to respond to the court order and he does not think she will take chances by ignoring it again.
If she chooses to ignore the order by Tuesday, Munetsi said that he will go back to court for contempt and ask the High Court to issue a warrant of arrest.
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