Opposition Leader Fadzayi Mahere Under Fire as “Hu...

Opposition Leader Fadzayi Mahere Under Fire as “Humpty Dumpty Lawyer” Accusations Resurface

Philemon Jambaya

Zim Now Editor

Advocate Fadzayi Mahere, a prominent figure in Zimbabwe's opposition, is facing intense scrutiny over her past legal work, with Youth Minister Tino Machakaire publicly attacking her credibility. The renewed criticism stems from Mahere’s previous defense of National Social Security Authority (NSSA) managers accused of mismanaging pensioners' funds, a case that has come back to haunt her amidst a burgeoning political controversy.

The latest salvo against Mahere was fired by Minister Machakaire, who, in a series of scathing social media posts, reignited accusations regarding her legal competence and moral standing. Machakaire's remarks follow what he perceives as Mahere's continued defense of individuals implicated in wrongdoing, specifically linking her to the NSSA scandal.

The controversial moniker, "Humpty Dumpty lawyer," first leveled by Justice Matonsi in a past judgment concerning the NSSA case, has been resurrected by Machakaire. Justice Matonsi's initial assessment of Mahere's legal expertise in that context is now being used as a potent weapon against her.

In his social media broadsides, Machakaire directly challenged Mahere's intellect and integrity. "A whole Justice Matonsi judgment extensively established your gravitas as a 'Humpty Dumpty’ mouthpiece of NSSA millions looters," Machakaire wrote, adding, "The looming question is whether you and your NSSA millions looters have had the moral courage to repay the poor pensioners’ savings you attempted to cover with your humpty dumpty theatrics."

Machakaire emphatically distanced himself from any involvement in financial impropriety, contrasting his record with the accusations against Mahere and her former clients. He asserted his own clean slate, stating, "Good evening advovo Humpty Dumpty @advocatemahere. FYI, unlike your NSSA looters judgment, I have never been party to a government tender or tampered with poor pensioners’ funds."

He further challenged Mahere to produce any judgment that casts doubt on his own character, stating, "Show me any judgment that casts aspersions on my moral turpitude before you start with me." Machakaire maintained that his business dealings, both before and after his entry into politics, are transparent and above board. "My business life before and after politics is in the public domain. I am an open book who respects honest hard work," he declared, offering to "assist you in apologizing to all NSSA beneficiaries and to share with you a few tips on how you can be an honest taxpaying business entrepreneur."

The Youth Minister also invoked parliamentary findings to counter what he described as Mahere's "preposterous allegations" and "false narratives." He referenced the Public Accounts Committee's documentation of undelivered government vehicles, implying that Mahere's criticisms are misplaced and ill-informed.

"You're a parochially nonsensical rabblerouser, chigananda, if you run away from a Parliament whose Public Accounts Committee has factually established and elaborately documented how government vehicles paid by Treasury were not delivered by the supplier," Machakaire stated, concluding that Mahere's attempts to "falsely attempting to besmirch a Minister contrary to the findings of the Parliament Public Accounts Committee exposes you for the serial hating noisy dimwit you have always been."