- J14 P177 right-thinking members of society generally. In the context in which the words were published, they do not tend reasonable people to shun or avoid him. We would add that in a multi-party political system, we do not see anything defamatory for a retired civil servant having a secret meeting with politicians whom he knew. We wish to emphasize that the appellant placed a natural and ordinary meaning to the words complained of. We agree with Counsel for the respondents that they are not capable of bearing the meaning assigned to them. The appellant did not plead a defamatory innuendo meaning. On the facts of this case, we do not accept the argument by Mr. Kalaluka that the two respondents were under duty to check the accuracy of the words complained of before publishing them. There were two versions to the story complained of. One was by the M.M.D. Their version was that the clandestine meetings took place. The other version was by Hon. Sokontwe and the appellant. Their version was that the alleged clandestine meetings never took place. The 1st and 2nd respondents published both versions. This was clearly balanced reporting. The claim and denial having been both published, there was nothing to verify. We consider the Sata and Wonani cases, distinguishable on facts and cited out of context. Further, on the facts of this case, we are of the view that the learned trial Judge was on firm ground when he held that if