Fadzayi Mahere Hints at Court Showdown After Tino Machakaire’s Company Threatens US$100K Lawsuit
Lawyer and activist Fadzayi Mahere has responded after TinMac Motors threatened to sue her for US$100,000 over social media posts it says falsely accused the firm of smuggling, corruption and criminal activity, and damaged its reputation and business interests.
TinMac, represented by Rubaya and Chatambudza law firm, is demanding that Mahere delete the posts, retract her statements within 24 hours, and provide evidence, or face civil and potentially criminal charges. The company claims her posts harmed its reputation, threatened its international partnerships, and risked major financial losses.
Mahere, however, made it clear on her X account (formerly Twitter) that she’s standing by her remarks and won’t be intimidated. While she didn’t directly name TinMac in her response, she referred to Machakaire, saying she won’t be litigating “through newspapers or social media” and has instructed her legal team to handle the matter.
“A number of people have been in touch, asking for my response to sundry letters of demand and threatened litigation by Mr Machakaire or entities typically associated with him.
Suffice it to say that, as a matter of principle, I do not litigate through newspapers or social media. Court cases are won or lost in court, not in the press.
As an officer of the court, I have an ethical duty to respect matters that are before or soon to be instituted in the courts. It is only right for me to allow the law to take its course. I have every faith in my lawyers, who have full instructions to act on my behalf to safeguard my good name and best interests.
Once everything is over, a more comprehensive conversation can take place. We need new leaders.”
A number of people have been in touch, asking for my response to sundry letters of demand and threatened litigation by Mr Machakaire or entities typically associated with him.
Suffice it to say that, as a matter of principle, I do not litigate through newspapers or social… pic.twitter.com/z7QefmB0nY
— Fadzayi Mahere
(@advocatemahere) July 9, 2025
The letter of demand from TinMac, dated 9 July and marked urgent, comes just days after Mahere threatened to sue Machakaire personally for a series of defamatory posts he made between 5 and 6 July. In those posts, Machakaire accused her of being morally loose and corrupt, claims Mahere called defamatory and politically motivated.
Now, TinMac, a company widely believed to be closely tied to the Youth Minister, is arguing that Mahere’s posts didn’t just target Machakaire, but harmed TinMac’s distinct corporate identity as well. Their legal letter accuses her of publishing “malicious, reckless and injurious” statements, including that the company smuggled luxury vehicles through abuse of government duty-free privileges, engaged in bribery, and committed fraud to avoid prosecution.
The lawyers warned Mahere that she may have violated Zimbabwe’s cyber laws, particularly under the Data Protection Act, which criminalises online communication meant to intimidate or harass others.
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The post Fadzayi Mahere Hints at Court Showdown After Tino Machakaire’s Company Threatens US$100K Lawsuit appeared first on iHarare News.
