Mahere faces, yet another $100,000 defamation lawsuit from TinMac Motors

Harare lawyer and former opposition legislator Advocate Fadzayi Mahere is facing another US$100,000 defamation lawsuit from TinMac Motors (Private) Limited, a company linked to Youth Minister Tinomudaishe Machakaire.

The lawsuit is in response to a series of posts made by Mahere on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) between July 5 and July 7, 2025.

This is the second lawsuit filed against Mahere, following a suit on Monday that increased the claimed figure to US$200,000 over posts on her X account targeting the Minister.

A letter of demand dated Monday, delivered to Mahere’s Beverly Court office in Harare, accuses the lawyer of spreading false allegations.

Minister Machakaire’s legal representatives, Prichard Attorneys, allege that Mahere accused the Minister of corruption, theft, dishonesty, and the misuse of public funds to purchase luxury vehicles.

Through their legal representative, Mr Admire Rubaya, TinMac Motors alleges that Mahere’s posts defamed the company and its business operations.

In a formal letter of demand, Mr Rubaya stated that Mahere’s posts implied TinMac Motors was involved in criminal conduct, including abuse of Government duty-free facilities, tax evasion, and other activities that undermine public trust.

The company’s legal representative emphasised that Mahere’s posts conflated TinMac Motors as a private legal entity with the person of Mr Machakaire, who, according to the letter, is neither a director nor a shareholder of the company.

Mr Rubaya highlighted that Mahere’s statements were reckless, malicious, and damaging to TinMac Motors’ reputation, both nationally and internationally.

The letter references specific posts authored by Mahere, which posed a series of questions directed at Minister Machakaire.

These questions suggested potential misconduct involving TinMac Motors, including allegations of abuse of government facilities and links to high-profile business figures. Mr Rubaya argued that the framing of these posts as questions was a deliberate attempt to obscure their defamatory intent.

TinMac Motors has demanded that Mahere delete the posts, issue an apology within 24 hours, and provide evidence to substantiate the allegations made in her posts. Failure to comply, the letter states, will result in the issuance of summons and pursuit of the US$100,000 claim in damages.

Mr Rubaya stated: “Our client is a private corporation with significant business interests and partnerships. The defamatory posts have caused substantial harm to its reputation and goodwill, and there is a real risk of financial loss due to the negative publicity.”

The company has also invoked sections of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, specifically provisions relating to cyber-bullying, harassment, and the transmission of false data messages.

However, TinMac Motors clarified that it has opted not to pursue criminal charges against Mahere, citing the potential for such proceedings to be mischaracterised as political persecution.

Instead, the company intends to rely on civil remedies to restore its reputation.

Mr Rubaya further stated: “Our client is of the firm belief that civil defamation remedies are more appropriate in these circumstances. A judicial determination in this forum will adequately address the significant harm caused by these reckless and false statements.”

Advocate Mahere has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit or the demands outlined in the letter. Herald