Zimbabwe’s Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Tinoda Machakaire, has threatened legal action against human rights lawyer and activist Fadzayi Mahere, after she publicly questioned him over missing government vehicles flagged in the Auditor General’s 2023 report.
According to the report, the Ministry of Youth procured 17 vehicles from a local dealership. However, only seven were reportedly delivered, with the whereabouts of the remaining ten still unclear. Mahere, citing the findings, called on Machakaire to explain the discrepancy and address concerns of alleged tax evasion and political interference in the deal.
Rather than respond to the allegations, Machakaire, through his legal representatives, issued a letter of demand accusing Mahere of defamation. He is demanding a public apology, a full retraction, and has indicated his intention to sue in his personal capacity — a move critics say is an attempt to deflect accountability as a public office bearer.
In her response, Mahere noted that asking questions about public funds is not defamation, but a constitutional right. She also highlighted that Machakaire’s legal team cited the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), a law repealed in 2020. “Were you not a Member of Parliament when this law was removed from our statutes?” she wrote in a public statement.
The controversy has sparked renewed debate over transparency and public accountability in government. Critics argue that Machakaire’s response reflects a broader culture of impunity, where public officials react with threats rather than transparency when confronted with serious allegations.
“The public deserves answers, not lawsuits,” said one legal analyst. “This is a matter of public interest and a test of the minister’s commitment to accountability.”
At the time of publication, Machakaire had not addressed the status of the missing vehicles, nor responded to mounting calls for a full investigation.
This incident adds to growing pressure on the Government of Zimbabwe to take seriously the findings of the Auditor General’s reports, many of which have highlighted inefficiencies, procurement irregularities, and missing assets in various ministries.
As the matter heads toward potential litigation, civil society groups are calling for greater scrutiny of public procurement processes and stronger mechanisms to hold public officials accountable.
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