Vongai Masuka

The Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Tinoda Machakaire, yesterday demanded a public apology from opposition politician and lawyer Fadzayi Mahere, after the two engaged in a heated exchange involving tax evasion allegations on X.

The exchange started when Mahere posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account on 4 July questioning the minister’s involvement in an alleged US$5 million tax evasion case involving car imports by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission.

“Is it true that you were at the centre of an alleged US$5 million tax evasion case instituted by ZACC relating to the importation of cars? Is it true that ZACC was forced to drop the case after the intervention of senior politicians? If true, why were the allegations dropped? Did you ever import vehicles and evade paying import duty?” Mahere questioned.

Through his legal representatives, Prichard Attorneys, Machakaire, who is also a Member of Parliament for Wedza South Constituency, issued a letter of demand stating that Mahere’s posts had the effect of malingering the corpus of their client.

Machakaire’s lawyers argued that the questions, which were followed by Mahere’s concluding remark, “We need new leaders,” constitute a sting pointing imputation that defames their client.

They said Mahere’s statement implies Machakaire’s involvement in the alleged US$5 million tax evasion and the dropping of charges due to political intervention.

“It is difficult to fathom why you would cherry pick our client from the pool of public officials in the country to answer your specious questions.

“You have already ‘convicted’ our client of the allegations you put as against him despite without even him answering. Your words ‘we need new leaders’ only entails that you have found by methods best known to you that our client was involved in the said antics (if they ever occurred). You have already found our client guilty despite you holding no judiciary authority (actual or quasi).” Reads the documents.

The legal firm highlighted the reach of Mahere’s post, noting that as of yesterday evening, it had garnered 33,000 views, 80 reposts, and 46 comments, amplifying the alleged defamatory content.

Machakaire is demanding the withdrawal of the defamatory allegations, a public apology, and a retraction.

In response to the demand, Mahere only questioned the Minister’s knowledge of the constitution.

“Good morning Honourable Minister,

Are you not aware that the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act was repealed five years ago?

Were you not a Member of Parliament when this law was removed from our statute books?

We need new leaders.” Wrote Mahere on her X handle.

This heated exchange prompted netizens to hold an X space where they discussed Machakaire’s ignorance about what was being asked by Mahere.

“We as citizens do not expect someone representing us in the parliament to be exchanging words with citizens on social media like that. If the minister was really bothered by what Mahere did, he could just call her to his office and discuss these matters with her. The drama wasn’t necessary.” Said one of netizens.