Lawyers acting on behalf of newly elected Zimbabwe Music Rights Association (ZIMURA) board chair Alexio Gwenzi have issued a formal letter of demand to journalist and blogger Plot Mhako, accusing him of defamation over social media posts linked to the sale of ZIMURA property.
The letter, dated 19 January 2026, was issued by Madzima Chidyasiku Museta Legal Practitioners and follows Facebook posts in which Mr Mhako allegedly claimed that a ZIMURA-owned property in Avondale was sold unlawfully and without the authority of either an Annual General Meeting (AGM) or an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
According to the lawyers, the statements were presented as assertions of fact and were subsequently republished by third-party platforms, including The Standard newspaper, amplifying what they describe as reputational harm to their client.
Allegations rejected as defamatory
The legal demand states that Mr Mhako further implied that the transaction was tainted by corruption, secrecy and procedural impropriety, and suggested that Mr Gwenzi acted under a conflict of interest due to his position as both a ZIMURA board member and an estate agent associated with Seeff.
The lawyers argue that these claims imputed dishonesty, abuse of office and unethical conduct, portraying Mr Gwenzi as “corrupt, dishonest and unfit to hold positions of trust”.
They maintain that the allegations are factually incorrect and legally unsound, insisting that ZIMURA is a company limited by guarantee, not a public company under Zimbabwe’s Companies and Other Business Entities Act.
As such, the letter states, statutory provisions requiring shareholder approval for major asset transactions do not apply, and there is no legal requirement to convene an AGM or EGM before disposing of ZIMURA property.
Board authority cited
According to the lawyers, ZIMURA’s Articles of Association vest full managerial and operational authority in the ZIMURA Council, including the power to dispose of association assets.
They say the council was therefore legally competent to approve the sale without convening a general meeting, and that claims suggesting otherwise are “false and devoid of any legal foundation”.
On the issue of conflict of interest, the letter states that the mere fact that Mr Gwenzi is both a ZIMURA board member and an estate agent does not, in itself, establish wrongdoing.
It adds that a conflict of interest must be supported by evidence of improper influence, non-disclosure or breach of fiduciary duty — evidence which, the lawyers say, was not provided.
Demands and legal warning to Plot Mhako
The letter demands that Mr Mhako remove all alleged defamatory posts and comments within 24 hours, desist from publishing further statements concerning Mr Gwenzi, and publish a full and unconditional written retraction and apology on the same Facebook page, with prominence comparable to the original posts.
Failing compliance, the lawyers warn that their client reserves the right to pursue damages for defamation, seek an interdict restraining further publication, and recover legal costs.
ZIMURA responds publicly
The legal demand comes amid wider public debate over the disposal of two residential flats previously used by ZIMURA in Avondale.
In a public notice issued on 12 January 2026, the association’s management sought to address what it described as “misinformation” circulating on social media and in the press.
The association said it did not own an entire building, but two small flats, which it described as dilapidated and no longer suitable for its expanding operations.
ZIMURA stated that the board, acting under Article 41 of its Memorandum and Articles of Association, approved the disposal to facilitate the purchase of a standalone commercial property to serve as the new head office.
It added that the transaction was formally reported to members at the AGM held on 22 October 2025, and that the proceeds remain under ZIMURA’s control and are being reinvested into the organisation.
Police investigations confirmed
ZIMURA also confirmed that legal proceedings have been instituted against individuals accused of disseminating defamatory content, and that the Zimbabwe Republic Police are investigating the matter.
The association said it remained committed to protecting the rights of music composers and ensuring fair compensation for creative work.
As the legal dispute unfolds, it places renewed scrutiny on governance within Zimbabwe’s creative institutions — and on the increasingly influential role of social media commentary in shaping public debate.
