KEY POINTS
- Mahere files a complaint over WhatsApp sexual harassment allegations against Chirambwe.
- Chirambwe’s leaked messages contain inappropriate remarks about Mahere.
- The Law Society of Zimbabwe investigates the harassment complaint under its ethics code.
Renowned Harare attorney Fadzayi Mahere has accused fellow attorney Joshua Chirambwe of sexual harassment after he made offensive remarks in a WhatsApp group. Mahere has filed a complaint against Chirambwe with the Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ).
Mahere reports Chirambwe over WhatsApp sexual harassment allegations
Chirambwe, who also calls himself a prophet, is accused of making derogatory comments about Mahere by saying he was “fond of” her. In a single, extensively shared message, he wrote:
“You see… Let’s say I have a soft spot for Fadzi, a woman I adore more than words can express. Another woman in this group has a level of elegance that rivals that of royalty. Her personality? Sweet enough to turn into sugar, but how do I get close to them?
According to New Zimbabawe, Mahere stated that Chirambwe had previously made similar comments, which had forced her to leave the group, and that his actions amounted to sexual harassment in a letter to LSZ Executive Secretary Norman Mapara.
“I left the group because of previous messages of this kind,” Mahere stated. “Such sexual harassment has no place in the legal profession, in my humble opinion.”
Law Society of Zimbabwe investigates possible ethics violations
Citing clause 3(23) of Statutory Instrument 37 of 2018, she asked Chirambwe to be disciplined.
Since then, Mapara has sent Chirambwe a letter directing him to address the accusations within 14 days.
“Part 6.2.1 of the Law Society of Zimbabwe’s Sexual Harassment Policy, 2024 and By-Law 3(23) of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) By-Laws, 2018 may have been violated,” Mapara said.
In addition to failing to treat professional colleagues with decency and respect, the complaint claims that Chirambwe’s actions amount to “unwanted or unwelcome sexual attention of an offensive nature.”
Review of the matter is still underway.
