Former Member of Parliament and advocate Fadzayi Mahere has walked away with a major legal victory, winning US$100,000 in damages after a court ruled in her favour in a defamation lawsuit against journalist Edmund Kudzayi.
Affair Allegations Sparked Lawsuit
The case stemmed from a 2022 article published on Kukurigo, a news platform reportedly owned by Kudzayi. The story accused Mahere of having an affair with businessman Tinashe Murapata, which it claimed led to the collapse of his marriage. The article included images of the two at public events and even alleged that Mahere had sent WhatsApp messages asking for money, implying a romantic and financial relationship.
Mahere strongly denied the claims, arguing that the story was not only false but also defamatory and intended to damage her image. She said the article wasn’t in the public interest and had no factual basis. In her court filings, she described it as an attack on her professionalism, ethics, and reputation, particularly as a lawyer and public figure.
Court Rules in Mahere’s Favour
When the case went to court, Kudzayi did not show up or mount a legal defence. That led Justice Joel Mambara to issue a default judgment in Mahere’s favour.
“The defendant (Kudzayi) shall pay the plaintiff (Mahere) the sum of US$100,000,” the ruling read, along with 5% interest per annum from the date the summons was served until the money is paid. Kudzayi was also ordered to cover legal costs.
In legal terms, a default judgment like this can’t be appealed outright, but Kudzayi can try to have it overturned by applying for a rescission, where he must prove why he didn’t respond to the lawsuit in time.
A Case About More Than Just Rumours
Mahere also challenged the idea that her public role made her fair game for personal gossip. She said her right to privacy and dignity had been violated by widespread publication of the false allegations, especially given Kukurigo’s claimed reach of over 370,000 readers and strong social media presence.
The article, she argued, not only misrepresented her actions but encouraged other platforms to republish the claims, multiplying the damage to her reputation.
Kudzayi Insisted He Was Doing His Job
Although he didn’t defend the lawsuit in court, Kudzayi had previously filed a strong written response. He insisted the article was based on fact and journalistic duty, not malice.
He said Mahere had been given a chance to respond to the claims before publication and that he had sufficient evidence to back up the allegations. He rejected accusations that the story was driven by bad faith or personal grudge, describing the reporting as being in the public interest and carried out with journalistic integrity.
He denied ever admitting the claims were false, and demanded Mahere prove her allegations to the “strictest standard.”
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