Ras Pompy’ Mano has denied claims that he is dating a 36-year-old woman, who is his mother’s friend. He also said he is not friends with Wesley Eroyi Shoniwa, who claimed in court that the chanter was dating his mother.
His response comes after H-Metro ran a court story where the chanter was mentioned in a case in which his alleged friend Wesley is facing allegations of attempted murder.
Wesley appeared before Harare magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa on Tuesday and was remanded in custody to today for his bail considerations.
In court, Wesley claimed that Ras Pompy is dating his mother. However, Ras Pompy has dismissed the claims through his defence counsel, Dumisani Mthombeni who said, the claims came from someone who is not authentic.
Despite, the statements made in court, the lawyer, said Ras Pompy, has never befriended Wesley and the reporter could have sought Pompy’s side.
“Our client is 23-years-old and does not befriend youngsters like Wesley. Ras Pompy has never bedded Wesley Shoniwa’s mother as was published and alleged by your banner and story.
“Ras Pompy and Wesley Shoniwa’s mother have never been and are not in any love relationship. They are not boyfriend and girlfriend as was alleged. Shoniwa’s mother works with Ras Pompy’s mother and he considers her as a mother figure to him.
“Our client has instructed us that he has received numerous calls and insults from members of the public who took with disdain his alleged conduct after reading and believing your publications as FACT and TRUTH.
“Client bemoans the fact that your newspaper wrote a story, and rushed to publish same without even verifying the allegations by contacting him to hear his side of the story.
“Ras Pompy strongly feels that he ought to and should have been afforded a right to be heard and your newspaper should have verified the allegations through a simple phone call or even messaging him since he is actively available on all social media platforms.
“Ras Pompy has become a subject of public ridicule and bad jokes on social media. In equal measure, the false and defamatory allegations have reached wide and far.
“His wife, in-laws, relatives, stakeholders in the music industry, business associates and friends have been extremely disturbed by these false allegations. Ras Pompy has had to explain himself to his wife, in-laws, and relatives. Ras Pompy has even lost an endorsement deal and other business opportunity which he was still negotiating prior to this publication.
“Ras Pompy instructed us that your widely published banner and story is allegedly littered with false, defamatory, malicious, misleading allegations which were stated and published as FACTS.”
Added Mthombeni:
“Shoniwa’s mother works with our client’s mother and client considers her as a mother figure to him.
“It is very false that members of their community have been laughing at Wesley over a non-existent issue.
“Ras Pompy asserts that Wesley has been unwell for over two years, may be suffering from a mental problem emanating from alleged substance abuse and requires urgent medical assistance before it is too late. Shoniwa’s mother and family can confirm this fact.
“Ras Pompy is determined to remain focused on his music and farming project.
“He implores your publication to be more considerate of his reputation, brand as an artist and deliver factual, truthful, balanced stories without needlessly defaming innocent individuals like himself.
“His brand has been damaged, good public image has been dealt a heavy blow and he may never recover from the prejudice he has suffered.
“This has hurt his brand, feelings, family, public image and reputation. The very offending, misleading, malicious, defamatory and false allegations against our client have deeply hurt our client in many ways and have caused irreparable harm upon him.
“It is not Ras Pompy’s intention to embarrass you and your publication; be it in court or in any public forum.
“It is our fervent hope that you will treat our client’s genuine concerns with the seriousness they deserve, take heed, cooperate and accordingly take remedial action promptly.
Source: H metro
