Chikanza files formal complaint against Mahere?

Simbarashe Chikanza, the publisher and founder of ZimEye, has lodged a formal complaint with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) against Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, accusing her of abusing the legal system and engaging in harassment. In his complaint, Chikanza claims that Mahere has manipulated legal proceedings for personal gain, and he highlights instances where she allegedly used the courts to intimidate and suppress critical evidence.

According to Chikanza, the complaint stems from Mahere's defamation case against writer Dr. Petina Gappah, in which he claims his affidavit providing important contextual evidence was deliberately excluded. Chikanza argues that Mahere's actions amounted to the abuse of the legal process, as she selectively targeted Gappah while ignoring similar allegations made by other individuals, including journalist Hopewell Chin'ono and social media personality Acie Lumumba. Chikanza contends that Mahere's legal action against Gappah was driven not by a genuine concern for defamation, but by a personal vendetta.

Chikanza also recalls an incident from May 2017, when Mahere allegedly verbally abused him following a media report published by ZimEye about her false claims regarding the whereabouts of the late Patson Dzamara. Chikanza claims that instead of engaging in a civil dispute resolution process, Mahere resorted to abusive language, which he views as an intimidation tactic, constituting harassment under Zimbabwean law.

In his complaint, Chikanza further accuses Mahere of double standards, alleging that after his staff received death threats for defending her, she refused to take action against those making the threats. He also claims that Mahere has used her position to suppress the truth and intimidate others, particularly journalists, who have criticized her.

Chikanza's complaint questions Mahere's professional conduct, describing her as manipulative and dishonest. He states that she has used her position in the legal field to create a false narrative, which has harmed him and others. Chikanza is now calling on the LSZ to investigate Mahere's conduct under the provisions of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which defines harassment and abuse of legal process.

In conclusion, Chikanza has urged the Law Society to take appropriate disciplinary action against Mahere for her alleged misconduct. He has expressed his willingness to provide further evidence and cooperate fully with any investigation that follows. The LSZ has yet to make a public statement regarding the complaint or outline any potential next steps.