Fuzwayo takes on Advocate Thabani Mpofu

A Bulawayo-based law firm has issued an urgent demand for the retraction of what it describes as a defamatory statement made by senior advocate Thabani Mpofu on social media, in a dispute that has now spilled into the public domain.

In a letter dated February 4, 2026, Sithole Law Chambers, operating from 14 Park Road Suburbs in Bulawayo, said it was acting on behalf of civic leader and politician Mbuso Fuzwayo in relation to remarks allegedly published by Mpofu on January 28, 2026, via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account, @advocate_fulcrum.

The statement in question referred to a court application involving Fuzwayo, which is set down for hearing on February 9, 2026. In the post, Mpofu suggested that while lawyers involved in the matter claimed they had been paid, Fuzwayo had allegedly said he had not paid them and did not even have "$10 in his pocket," raising what Mpofu described as "unanswered questions" ahead of the hearing.

Sithole Law Chambers contends that the remarks are "explicitly defamatory," arguing that they falsely portray Fuzwayo as financially destitute and unable to meet his obligations, thereby damaging his reputation. The firm said the insinuations were untrue, malicious and reckless, and amounted to portraying its client as "a pauper and a vagabond."

The lawyers further stated that Fuzwayo has never discussed his payment arrangements with Mpofu or authorised any legal practitioner representing him to disclose such information publicly. They emphasised that payment arrangements between a client and their lawyers are privileged and confidential, adding that Mpofu, as a senior legal practitioner, ought to have been aware of this.

In the letter, Sithole Law Chambers warned that its client was considering reporting Mpofu to the Law Society of Zimbabwe over the matter, citing concerns over professional conduct.

The firm has demanded that Mpofu immediately retract the statement in writing and publish the retraction on his X account within two days of receiving the letter, with the same prominence and reach as the original post. It has also called for a public apology to Fuzwayo and for Mpofu to cease and desist from making any further defamatory statements about him.

Failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated timeframe, the lawyers warned, would result in legal action for defamation, including claims for damages, without further notice.

The letter was copied to the client and signed off by Sithole Law Chambers. At the time of publication, there was no public response from Mpofu to the demand.