Former Citizens Coalition for Change legislator Fadzayi Mahere is facing fierce criticism from political commentators and social media users following her recent remarks targeting businessman Wicknell Chivhayo and musician Tocky Vibes. Her posts, which questioned Chivhayo’s business dealings and mocked Tocky Vibes, have sparked a heated debate about accountability, political rhetoric, and the role of public figures in Zimbabwe’s national discourse.
Political commentator Derick Goto was among her harshest critics, accusing Mahere of “weaponised pettiness” and “professional recklessness.” In a lengthy post on X (formerly Twitter), Goto described her comments as “cheap and ill-considered,” arguing that they lacked the depth and integrity expected from a former legislator and lawyer.
“This past week, Mahere’s conduct stripped bare the intellectual hollowness of her so‑called ‘accountability crusade,’” Goto wrote, adding that her attacks were more personal than principled.
Goto’s critique centred on two key incidents. The first was Mahere’s September 26 post questioning Chivhayo’s involvement in the Gwanda Solar Project, a high-profile energy initiative. Mahere has repeatedly called for greater transparency, questioning whether the project had delivered on its promises. The second was her public criticism of Tocky Vibes after he received a luxury car gift from Chivhayo, which Mahere framed as problematic.
“A whole lawyer, a former party spokesperson, reduced to taking swipes at a musician simply because he accepted a gesture of goodwill from someone she irrationally despises,” Goto wrote. “That is not activism; it is envy dressed in opposition garb.”
Goto defended Chivhayo’s position, referencing a Supreme Court ruling that validated the Gwanda Solar Project contract and dismissed allegations of impropriety. “To continue ranting about a ‘US$5 million scandal’ in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling is not accountability; it is professional recklessness,” he said.
He also defended Intratrek Zimbabwe’s partnership with CHINT Electric Co. Ltd, describing it as a lawful and competitive procurement process. “That is not corruption — it is competence. But in the narrow corridors of opposition logic, anything efficient, successful, or associated with ZANU-PF must be condemned, even when vindicated by the law,” Goto argued.
On the issue of Tocky Vibes, Goto criticised Mahere’s tone as “vindictive” and “juvenile.” He described her mockery of the musician’s concert turnout as misplaced, saying: “A successful musician receives a gift, and instead of being celebrated for his art, he becomes a target of mockery. That is not leadership; it is pettiness weaponised.”
Mahere Under Fire for Criticisms of Chivhayo and Tocky Vibes
Mahere, however, defended her stance in a post of her own, insisting that Chivhayo must be held accountable for public projects funded with taxpayer money. “You weren’t contracted to litigate in the Supreme Court. You were contracted to build a solar farm. Where is it?” she wrote, referring to the status of the Gwanda Solar Project.
She questioned progress made since the signing of the contract in 2015 and challenged Chivhayo to share evidence of implementation. “These are taxpayer funds and we have a right to inquire into how they are being used. Are you aware that the Constitution empowers the public to do this?” she said.
The exchange has reignited broader debates about the nature of transparency in Zimbabwe, the limits of political loyalty, and the role of public figures in shaping national development narratives. For Mahere’s supporters, her stance reflects a commitment to holding business and political leaders accountable. For her critics, including Goto, her approach undermines constructive engagement and risks politicising issues for personal or partisan gain.
Social media has amplified the debate, with users divided over the validity of Mahere’s criticisms and the tone of her public commentary. Some have praised her willingness to speak out, arguing that robust scrutiny is essential in a democratic society. Others have accused her of engaging in political grandstanding that distracts from more pressing policy challenges.
For his part, Chivhayo has remained largely silent on the matter, though his legal and business teams have maintained that the Gwanda Solar Project was executed in line with contractual agreements. Tocky Vibes has also not responded publicly, allowing the online debate to unfold largely without their direct input.
This episode underscores the increasingly blurred lines between activism, political critique, and public discourse in Zimbabwe. As figures like Mahere continue to leverage social media as a platform for accountability, the incident highlights the risks and rewards of speaking out — and the fine balance between principled criticism and perceived personal attacks.
Whether seen as a courageous call for accountability or a case of “weaponised pettiness,” the clash between Mahere, Chivhayo, and Tocky Vibes has cemented itself as one of the most talked-about controversies in Zimbabwe’s public sphere in recent months, with implications for both political debate and public trust in leadership.
Source- Bulawayo24
