The torrent of politically charged attacks unleashed on social media against Zimbabwe’s Attorney General, Virginia Mabiza, represents a troubling new chapter in the country’s online discourse. Spearheaded by self-styled influencers who traffic in baseless innuendo and unsubstantiated insinuations, the smear campaign lacks a single shred of evidence. Yet, it has succeeded in sparking outrage and division, serving neither the perpetrators nor the political figures they claim to champion.
In a democratic society, accountability is both essential and commendable. Public officials—whether elected or appointed—must answer to the citizenry for their actions or inactions. But there is a critical difference between legitimate scrutiny and reckless character assassination. To besmirch a public servant for factional or partisan gain, especially under the guise of supporting a political leader, is not only unethical but profoundly counterproductive. No political cause or leader benefits from a climate of deception and personal attacks.
The catalyst for this latest storm was a series of images shared by Deputy Chief Secretary George Charamba on August 31, 2025. The photos depicted senior government officials accompanying President Emmerson Mnangagwa to the Vatican. Charamba posted his image at 13:45 CAT, followed by Chief Secretary Dr Martin Rushwaya and Chief of Protocol Ambassador Gideon Gapare at 13:48. The papal window itself appeared at 13:55, with Attorney General Mabiza’s image posted last, at 13:57.
Curiously—or perhaps predictably—only Mabiza’s photograph provoked an immediate flood of vitriol. The attacks came from individuals who, despite purporting to support a faction within Zanu PF, are neither party members nor formally affiliated. Many are former supporters of opposition figures, such as Nelson Chamisa, now masquerading as defenders of supposed internal Zanu PF interests—but with greater zeal than the faction itself.
The narrative driving this campaign is remarkably thin: the attackers claim Mabiza had no legitimate role in the presidential delegation to China via the Vatican. This is nothing more than a concoction of crude insinuations, bereft of legal or factual basis. Yet, the onslaught of online abuse and misogynistic commentary has been intense, singling her out while ignoring the inclusion of Dr Rushwaya—a rare and significant presence given his position at the apex of the public service.
This glaring double standard exposes the hypocrisy at the heart of these attacks. The same critics who vilify Mabiza are often the first to defend women in opposition politics, such as Fadzayi Mahere, when faced with similar gendered attacks. Their selective outrage underscores the partisan and opportunistic motivations behind the current smear campaign.
What these critics conveniently overlook is the institutional logic behind Mabiza’s inclusion. As the only two senior officials who routinely attend Cabinet meetings, the Chief Secretary and Attorney General have complementary roles. The Chief Secretary oversees Cabinet deliberations and ensures continuity in administrative processes, while the Attorney General provides indispensable legal counsel on all government matters, from legislative drafting to international agreements. Every ministry and department is her client, with the President and Minister of Justice, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs occupying primary positions of engagement.
Smear campaign against Attorney General Virginia Mabiza
This long-standing arrangement is not arbitrary. It ensures the government’s legal and procedural integrity in every decision, agreement, and policy implementation. For instance, the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with China Railway Group, originally valued at USD 533 million and now increased to USD 600 million, could not have been executed without the combined oversight of the Chief Secretary and the Attorney General. Their presence in the delegation to China was therefore essential, as finalizing this agreement was among the top priorities during President Mnangagwa’s visit. Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube, Chief Secretary Rushwaya, and Attorney General Mabiza were central to these negotiations.
Yet, rather than focusing on these substantive matters, online agitators reduced critical state affairs to the level of tabloid gossip. Such trivialization is a national disservice and diminishes public understanding of governance. Zimbabweans deserve informed, serious discourse, not the shallow theatrics of online opportunists.
Virginia Mabiza is Zimbabwe’s duly appointed Attorney General, chosen by the same President who elevated the factional figures these imposters claim to support. The attacks against her advance no political agenda and serve only to tarnish reputations, sow confusion, and undermine both party cohesion and national interest.
While factions within Zanu PF are an undeniable reality, no legitimate group should tolerate or condone the machinations of non-member agitators. Allowing these false narratives to persist only sullies the faction’s credibility, weakens Zanu PF as a governing entity, and erodes public trust in the institutions meant to uphold Zimbabwe’s legal and political framework.
The lesson is clear: informed debate and legitimate scrutiny strengthen democracy. Reckless, evidence-free attacks, especially those targeting senior women officials, weaken the very foundations of governance. Zimbabwe’s political discourse deserves better than this latest spectacle of social media chicanery.
Source- Bulawayo24
