Former Cabinet minister Prof. Juma Kapuya has refuted claims of having love affairs with young girls, as published by a local daily tabloid and other social media recently.
Prof. Juma Kapuya
“Pro. Kapuya denies each and every allegation published.I have the instruction of my client to demand unconditional apology and retractions of the defamatory article published in Tanzania Daima and other blogs,” advocate Yasim Memba, for Prof. Kapuya, told a press conference in Dar es Salaam yesterday.
Mr Memba said he would file a formal demand letter to the newspaper and other social media which published the defamatory statements, giving them seven days to offer the apology and retract the statements.
Failure of which, he warned, he would take the matter to court for redress. “My client, in particular his family members, have been saddened by the false statements that were published and calculated to injure his reputation he has built for long time not only within the government circles, but also in the entire society,” he said.
The advocate further indicated that Prof Kapuya would also sue the person who circulated the false information to the social media and the newspaper and was currently preparing charges and claims to be filed in court soon.
“Prof. Kapuya denies knowing the young girl named in the article to have been in love affair with her. He refutes claims of having any contact with her and he denies being HIV positive. He will wish her to come openly in court and prove the claims,” the advocate said.
According to him, Prof. Kapuya, currently Member of Parliament for Urambo West (CCM) constituency regrettably came to learn that under professional ethics he would have been consulted for verification of the claims before the publications in the newspaper and blogs.
“This was not done. He has been condemned unheard as the newspaper and blogs rushed to publish the defamatory statements without getting comments from his side. This is not proper,” advocate Memba said.
A day after the publication of the allegations, Tanzania Media Women’s Association (Tamwa), in collaboration with TGNP and Legal and Human Right Centre (LHRC) condemned leaders who use their office positions and political power to abuse and intimidate young girls.
In a joint statement to the media, the three organizations which promote the welfare of women and children, expressed their concern and were shocked by the ordeal of two young orphan girls who now seek justice after being abused from a government leader.
By FAUSTINE KAPAMA, Tanzania Daily News
