MK180 Million Showdown: Chacha Drags Tamia Ja to Court
Tamia Ja Claps Back: “Tengani Pandalama Mumafuna Kundipatsa!”
While the world watches a dramatic fued unfold between United States President Donald Trump and his campaign oligarch Elon Musk, Malawi has its own headline feud playing out on social media. Popular influencers Tamia Ja and Chawezi Chacha Banda have gone from online shade to full-blown legal threats in just days.
It all began with a request. Chacha allegedly asked to post Tamia Ja on social media that she had been financially “blessed” by the US-based ‘businesswoman’. However, the promised money was not to be transferred immediately. Suspicious of the deal, Tamia Ja refused, declaring she would not accept help on credit, as is known in Malawi, papinyolo kapena kuti pangongole.
What started as an exchange of words in their private chatroom has now escalated into a legal showdown. Chacha, through her lawyers, is demanding a staggering MK180 million in damages for alleged defamation. The court papers were served just 24-hours after the heated online exchange.
“hello my friends, of recent weeks I have been a victim of malicious communication and statements online by people who are hell bent to destroy my name. Some of the things said about me are shocking so I have been left with no choice but to report to relevant authorities and court jurisdictions.
“I am very aware that cyberbullying is a crime so I have chosen to remain silent even if I see very offending posts about me. I will wait for justice to prevail no matter how long this will take. I will make no further comments about whatever is been said about me.
“Please understand me as a victim of online bullying and to those who thinks I will stop doing what am doing because of the false accusations and defamatory posts about me, you better think again, I will not stop supporting those who are vulnerable and needy in Malawi because this is my way of life not what you try to make people think of me. And I thank everyone for your prayers and those who know the truth and chose to stand by me.” Read a 193-word post by Chacha.
“I Will Not Delete Anything”, Tamia Ja Doubles Down
Tamia Ja, whose real name is Hannah Jabesi, is not backing down. In a no-holds-barred video, she dismissed the demand and accused Chacha of trying to intimidate her into silence.
“MK180 million for what? What have I done to you, madam? Can you even say what offense I have committed, or are you just trying to scare people from speaking the truth about you? Get out of here,” she declared. In a follow-up post, she told Chacha to collect the MK180 million from the very money she had promised her.
“180 million yo tenganipo yomwe munkafuna kundipatsa ine ija mwina ichepeko… do whatever but I am innocent”, Tamia Ja posted on Facebook about 8 hours after Chacha’s post.
Legal Guns Out: Chacha Serves 28-Day Ultimatum
Chacha’s legal team issued a letter giving Tamia Ja 28 days to respond. Should she fail to do so, court proceedings could begin within two weeks of the deadline.
According to the documents, Tamia Ja is accused of posting false and defamatory content about Chacha, based on allegations made on a gossip platform called Alice Andrews Talks. The posts involve Chacha’s absence from the wedding of her associate, Chris Loka, and her professional relationship with him.
The legal team is demanding that Tamia Ja immediately delete all videos deemed defamatory.
But Tamia Ja has doubled down. In another viral video, she said she is not afraid and will not be silenced.
The gloves are clearly off.
