Francisco Marconati, a well-known businessman from Marondera, is taking legal action against the online news outlet Bulawayo24.com, alleging that the publication has smeared his name through two controversial articles. These pieces suggest Marconati improperly invoked the name of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga in disputes with his former business associates, branding him as exploiting high-profile connections for personal gain.
The legal challenge, initiated by Marconati’s attorneys from Joel Pincus, Konson, and Wolhuter Legal Practitioners, focuses on articles that label Marconati as a self-styled “Italian mafia boss” and accuse him of flouting mining regulations, posing a national security threat. These accusations, according to the legal team, are not only unfounded but also serve to maliciously tarnish Marconati’s reputation both personally and professionally.
The claims against Marconati, as outlined in the disputed articles, include allegations of regulatory non-compliance in his mining operations, unethical business practices, and manipulative behavior towards business partners and others. His lawyers assert these portrayals are baseless, aimed at character assassination and causing significant harm to Marconati’s social and business standing, potentially leading to financial losses.
Furthermore, Marconati’s legal representatives criticize the news outlet for not seeking their client’s side of the story or verifying the facts before publication, which they argue would have revealed the accusations as untrue and unfair.
In response to the defamation claim, Marconati’s lawyers have demanded that Bulawayo24.com retract the offending articles and issue a public apology by a set deadline. Failure to meet these demands, they warn, will result in legal action against the publication, including claims for damages.
This legal confrontation highlights Marconati’s broader disputes with former business associates, including a significant legal battle with former director Li Song. Marconati accuses Song of externalizing millions of dollars through an offshore company, leading to a complex legal entanglement involving employees at a local bank and officials at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. The businessman has extended his legal efforts to Mauritius courts in an attempt to recover funds he alleges were siphoned off by his ex-wife, Li.
Marconati’s business interests, including a stake in Eagle Italian Leather and Shoes Company, which supplies leather products to Zimbabwe’s security sector, underscore the potential implications of the defamation case not just for the individuals involved but also for the broader business community and regulatory environment in Zimbabwe.
