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Fadzayi Mahere files sexual harassment complaint against colleague
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Prominent Harare lawyer Fadzayi Mahere has lodged a formal complaint with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) against fellow legal practitioner and self-proclaimed prophet Joshua Chirambwe over what she has described as sexual harassment through inappropriate messages in a WhatsApp group.
The complaint stems from Chirambwe's messages in which he made suggestive comments about Mahere and another unnamed female member of the group. In one of the widely circulated messages, Chirambwe expressed his admiration for Mahere, saying, "You see… There is this woman I adore beyond words - let's say I'm rather fond of Fadzi."
He further wrote about another woman in the group, describing her as having "elegance that could give royalty a run for their money" and questioning how he could approach either of them.
In her letter to LSZ Executive Secretary Norman Mapara, Mahere stated that Chirambwe's behavior amounts to sexual harassment and revealed that similar conduct in the past had forced her to leave the group.
"Previous messages of this nature caused me to exit the group. I have attached copies of the said messages to this complaint for your attention. They are published under the moniker ‘Young Money,'" Mahere wrote. "It is my humble view that such sexual harassment has no place in the legal profession. I therefore lodge this complaint in terms of, inter alia, clause 3(23) of SI 37 of 2018 and request that disciplinary action be taken against this legal practitioner."
Responding to the complaint, Mapara wrote to Chirambwe, requiring him to respond to the allegations within 14 days. He noted that the allegations point to a possible violation of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) By-Laws, 2018, and the Law Society of Zimbabwe's Sexual Harassment Policy, 2024.
"These allegations point to a possible contravention of By-Laws 3 (23) of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) By-Laws, 2018 SI 37 of 2018 and part 6.2.1 of the Law Society of Zimbabwe Sexual Harassment Policy, 2024," Mapara stated. "Failing or neglecting to treat professional colleagues with courtesy, respect, and fairness; unwanted or unwelcome sexual attention of an offensive nature made by a person who knows, or reasonably should know, that the attention is unwanted or unwelcome."
Mapara emphasized that the messages could be interpreted as conduct intended to offend, humiliate, or degrade Mahere. Chirambwe has been given 14 days to formally respond to the allegations.
The matter is yet to be heard, but the complaint has sparked conversations around professionalism and harassment within the legal profession.
The complaint stems from Chirambwe's messages in which he made suggestive comments about Mahere and another unnamed female member of the group. In one of the widely circulated messages, Chirambwe expressed his admiration for Mahere, saying, "You see… There is this woman I adore beyond words - let's say I'm rather fond of Fadzi."
He further wrote about another woman in the group, describing her as having "elegance that could give royalty a run for their money" and questioning how he could approach either of them.
In her letter to LSZ Executive Secretary Norman Mapara, Mahere stated that Chirambwe's behavior amounts to sexual harassment and revealed that similar conduct in the past had forced her to leave the group.
Responding to the complaint, Mapara wrote to Chirambwe, requiring him to respond to the allegations within 14 days. He noted that the allegations point to a possible violation of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) By-Laws, 2018, and the Law Society of Zimbabwe's Sexual Harassment Policy, 2024.
"These allegations point to a possible contravention of By-Laws 3 (23) of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) By-Laws, 2018 SI 37 of 2018 and part 6.2.1 of the Law Society of Zimbabwe Sexual Harassment Policy, 2024," Mapara stated. "Failing or neglecting to treat professional colleagues with courtesy, respect, and fairness; unwanted or unwelcome sexual attention of an offensive nature made by a person who knows, or reasonably should know, that the attention is unwanted or unwelcome."
Mapara emphasized that the messages could be interpreted as conduct intended to offend, humiliate, or degrade Mahere. Chirambwe has been given 14 days to formally respond to the allegations.
The matter is yet to be heard, but the complaint has sparked conversations around professionalism and harassment within the legal profession.
Source - NewZimbabwe
