ZimNow Reporter
The Zimbabwe Football Association president, Nqobile Magwizi, has instructed his lawyers to issue a strongly worded demand letter against veteran journalist Hope Chizuzu, accusing him of publishing defamatory statements on Facebook and other platforms.
In the letter, seen by Zim Now, Magwizi’s legal representatives, Chimuka Mafunga Commercial Attorneys, catalogue a series of articles and posts made between January and September 2025 on Chizuzu’s Facebook page Hope Chizuzu, which they allege branded the ZIFA president as “illegitimate,” “a thief,” “useless,” and a “fraudster.” The lawyers argue these statements amount to slander and cyberbullying, insisting they have caused serious damage to Magwizi’s reputation and business interests.
The demand, marked URGENT, requires Chizuzu to:
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- Delete all posts related to Magwizi from Facebook.
- Publish a full retraction and apology on Facebook, on The Herald’s front page, and in WhatsApp groups where the statements circulated, for five consecutive days.
Failure to comply, the lawyers warn, will result in a US$5 million defamation suit, possible criminal charges under the Cybersecurity and Data Protection Act, and further action should Chizuzu be a registered journalist.
The confrontation adds another chapter to the often fraught relationship between ZIFA leadership and the media. Magwizi, who was elected ZIFA president in January 2025 with what the letter describes as “a historic 85% margin,” has faced intense scrutiny over governance, transparency, and management of the game.
Chizuzu had not issued a public response by the time of publication.
Hope Chizuzu is no stranger to allegations of defamation. In 2019, CAPS United president Farai Jere filed a lawsuit against him following a series of Facebook posts that Jere argued were defamatory and damaging to his reputation as a businessman and football administrator. Although the case did not reach a full trial, it highlighted the allegations by football leaders about Chizuzu’s use of social media platforms to publish unverified allegations with wide circulation.
Beyond Jere, Chizuzu has previously clashed with other football officials, often over governance and financial management issues. While he presents his interventions as commentary on accountability in sport, administrators have frequently described them as personal attacks that cross into defamation. This recurring pattern—public accusations followed by legal pushback—has made Chizuzu one of the most controversial figures in Zimbabwean football journalism.
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