By Victor Fanuel
HARARE — The Zimbabwe Youth Action Platform (ZYAP) has dismissed allegations linking Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi to Advocate Martin Dinha’s recent accident, accusing the lawyer of waging a smear campaign against the senior government official.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, ZYAP said it wanted “to categorically address and correct a series of misleading, malicious, and reckless claims currently being circulated on social media with the clear intention of tarnishing the reputation of our esteemed Politburo member, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi.”
The youth organisation said Dinha was attempting to shift attention away from the circumstances surrounding his accident by implicating the minister.
“It is both unfortunate and deeply concerning that, instead of taking responsibility for the circumstances surrounding the incident, Advocate Dinha has chosen to embark on a campaign of misinformation, dragging Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi’s name into an issue in which he has absolutely no involvement,” ZYAP said.
The organisation further alleged that Dinha was under the influence of alcohol on the day of the accident.
“For the record, we have credible information and evidence indicating that on the day in question, Advocate Dinha was under the influence of alcohol.
“This is not mere speculation. There is documented material, including images, that clearly show his condition at the time,” the statement said.
ZYAP also accused Dinha of acting unlawfully after what it described as a minor sideswipe collision.
“Reports indicate that Advocate Dinha abused his authority and acted unlawfully against a young man who was involved in a minor sideswipe accident with his vehicle.
“Instead of allowing the law to take its proper course, he allegedly took matters into his own hands, resulting in the young man sustaining injuries and bruises,” the organisation said.
ZYAP said attempts to implicate Ziyambi were baseless.
“We strongly condemn these actions and the subsequent attempt to deflect attention by making baseless allegations against Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi,” it said.
ZYAP also rejected social media claims that Dinha had been poisoned.
“While we will not delve into the details of his personal health matters at this stage, we must make it clear that such claims should not be used as a smokescreen to manipulate public sympathy or to distract from the real issues at hand,” the statement said.
ZYAP further claimed it held additional information relating to Dinha’s alleged conduct.
“We are in possession of further information relating to his conduct, including matters linked to his interactions and activities involving students at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE).
While we have exercised restraint in the public interest, continued dissemination of falsehoods may compel us to disclose these details,” it said.
ZYAP said it remained committed to “defending truth, integrity, and the dignity of our leaders” and urged Dinha to “exercise responsibility, uphold the law, and refrain from further misleading the public.”
Dinha had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
