Prominent Harare lawyer and former opposition legislator, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, is now facing a second defamation lawsuit totaling US$100,000. The suit has been filed by TinMac Motors (Private) Limited, a company allegedly linked to Zimbabwe’s Youth Minister, Tinomudaishe Machakaire.
This latest legal challenge stems from a series of posts made by Mahere on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) between July 5 and July 7, 2025. In the posts, Mahere reportedly made statements and rhetorical inquiries implying corruption, misuse of public resources, and the improper use of state facilities. While the posts did not directly name specific individuals or companies, TinMac Motors and Minister Machakaire believe they were clearly referenced and targeted.
The fresh lawsuit follows closely on the heels of a previous US$100,000 claim filed just days earlier, also in response to Mahere’s controversial social media activity. This brings the total damages being pursued against her to US$200,000—an amount that underscores the seriousness with which the affected parties are treating the alleged defamation.
A letter of demand dated July 7 and delivered to Mahere’s offices at Beverly Court in Harare outlines the basis of the latest suit. In it, TinMac Motors, represented by legal practitioner Mr. Admire Rubaya, accuses Mahere of publishing false and damaging claims that allegedly paint the company as complicit in corrupt practices, tax evasion, and abuse of government duty-free import schemes.
Mr. Rubaya stated that Mahere’s comments on X gave the false impression that TinMac Motors was involved in criminal conduct and operating as a front for Minister Machakaire. “Our client is a privately owned company, and the Honourable Minister Machakaire is neither a shareholder nor a director,” said Rubaya. “The deliberate conflation of the company with the Minister is misleading, defamatory, and meant to damage TinMac’s credibility.”
Fadzayi Mahere Faces Second US$100,000 Defamation Lawsuit from TinMac Motors
The legal letter further accuses Mahere of using suggestive and indirect phrasing to avoid direct culpability while still conveying defamatory implications. “The use of rhetorical questions and innuendo was a calculated strategy to evade legal responsibility while causing maximum reputational harm,” Rubaya alleged.
TinMac Motors is now demanding a full retraction of the posts in question, a public apology within 24 hours, and the provision of any evidence supporting the claims made by Mahere. The letter warns that failure to meet these demands will result in the immediate filing of court summons and a civil suit seeking damages.
In addition to citing civil defamation, TinMac Motors has referenced Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act—particularly provisions that address cyberbullying, malicious communication, and the dissemination of falsehoods through electronic platforms. However, the company has clarified that it does not intend to pursue criminal charges against Mahere.
“We are not seeking to criminalise freedom of expression,” Rubaya explained. “Our client has opted for civil recourse to avoid any appearance of political persecution, even though the statements have caused considerable commercial and reputational harm.”
This second lawsuit adds to the rising legal pressure facing Advocate Mahere, who served as the spokesperson for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) before stepping down from active politics. Despite the mounting legal claims, Mahere has not yet made any public comments or issued a formal response to either of the lawsuits.
The unfolding legal saga has sparked widespread public interest, drawing attention to the complex intersection of politics, private enterprise, and freedom of expression in Zimbabwe. While some commentators view the lawsuits as legitimate attempts to protect reputational interests in the digital era, others argue they could be perceived as strategic efforts to silence critical voices in the opposition.
Observers note that this case also highlights the increasing legal risks faced by public figures and political commentators who use social media platforms to raise allegations or call for accountability. With defamation suits on the rise, especially in Zimbabwe’s politically sensitive environment, legal experts warn that online activism may carry growing financial and legal consequences.
As the case heads toward the courts, the public awaits Mahere’s response—and whether she will mount a legal defense, issue an apology, or stand her ground on the statements she made. Whatever the outcome, the case marks another significant test of how far the boundaries of free expression stretch in the country’s charged political and legal climate.
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