The High Court has issued a provisional order directing social media activist Rutendo Benson Matinyarare to remove defamatory material against members of the Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) from X (formerly Twitter), as posted on the online platform.
Justice Samuel Gede issued the order, also restraining Matinyarare from publishing further defamatory content against GMAZ members.
The court action ensued after Matinyarare published articles containing claims deemed harmful to the reputation of GMAZ and its members, prompting the association to seek legal recourse.
In response to GMAZ’s announcement of intentions to import 1.1 million tonnes of maize to bolster Government efforts in ensuring maize meal availability, Matinyarare posted an article titled “Innscor GMOS risks exposing Zimbabweans, Zambians, Kenyans & others to biological weapons”.
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Allegations were made that GMAZ intended to import Genetically Modified maize, with Matinyarare asserting potential side effects if consumed by humans. Another article, titled “Tafadzwa Musarara’s claim that GMOs don’t have side effects is not scientific,” was also shared, targeting Mr. Musarara, GMAZ’s chairperson.
GMAZ filed a court application on Monday, naming Matinyarare and the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe as respondents. Seeking an interdict, GMAZ aimed to halt further publication of defamatory content until the suit’s conclusion.
Highlighting the perpetuation of harm through the availability of the defamatory material online, GMAZ emphasized the urgency in averting continued damage to its members’ reputation.
The court granted GMAZ’s application, with the association’s legal representative, Mr. Simon Chivizhe, stressing the expectation of Matinyarare’s compliance with the court order.
