Simbarashe Chikanza, a publisher and founder of Zimeye, has filed a formal complaint with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) against Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, accusing her of litigation abuse and harassment.
Chikanza’s complaint was lodged following an affidavit exclusion in Mahere’s defamation case against Dr. Petina Gappah.
According to Crime Watch the complaint raises concerns about several actions that, according to Chikanza, fall under the legal definitions of harassment and misuse of the legal system. Below is a summary of the key points raised in the complaint:
- Abuse of Legal Process
Chikanza alleges that Advocate Mahere’s legal action against Dr. Gappah was manipulative, selectively targeting Gappah while ignoring others who had made similar allegations. Chikanza claims that his affidavit, which provided important evidence on Mahere’s behavior, was unfairly excluded, preventing a fair judgment in the case. - Harassment and Verbal Abuse
Chikanza describes an incident in May 2017 when Mahere allegedly used verbally abusive language towards him after his media platform, ZimEye, reported on false claims she made about the late Patson Dzamara.He claims Mahere used intimidation tactics instead of resolving the dispute through civil discourse. - Selective Legal Action
The complaint also points out Mahere’s selective pursuit of legal action against Dr. Gappah, while not taking any action against others who made similar allegations against her, such as Hopewell Chin’ono, Acie Lumumba, and Gift Kugara.This, according to Chikanza, indicates that the lawsuit may be driven by personal vendetta rather than genuine defamation concerns. - Failure to Address Death Threats and Hate Speech
Chikanza claims that after his team received death threats related to their defense of Mahere, Mahere took no action to address the situation, raising concerns about double standards in dealing with defamation and threats.ALSO READ: South Africa’s Mantashe Suggests Blocking U.S. Access to African Minerals - Manipulative Conduct
Chikanza further criticizes Mahere’s conduct, alleging that she used the legal system for personal gain and to suppress evidence that could be detrimental to her case.He argues that this is part of a broader pattern of manipulative and dishonest behavior. - Abuse of LSZ’s Name
Chikanza claims that Mahere has used the Law Society’s name to intimidate individuals, including himself, in an extrajudicial manner.He argues that this misuse of the legal process undermines the integrity of the system. - Request for Investigation and Action
Chikanza has requested that the LSZ investigate Advocate Mahere’s conduct, particularly with regard to her abuse of the legal system, harassment tactics, and selective litigation practices.He also urges the LSZ to examine whether her actions meet the ethical standards expected of legal professionals.
Chikanza is prepared to cooperate with the LSZ’s investigation and provide any necessary evidence to support his claims.
