Innscor Africa has successfully obtained a takedown order against Benson Rutendo Matinyarare, a Zanu PF social media activist, who made online accusations against the company, claiming they were “destroying the taste of Zimbabwean food.” Matinyarare also referred to the company’s founder, Zinona ‘Zed’ Koudounaris, as a “Rhodie.”

The Johannesburg High Court has deemed Matinyarare’s allegations as “defamatory,” placing him at risk of facing damages from Innscor and Koudounaris, along with substantial legal costs. An interim order, secured by Innscor on January 9, instructed Matinyarare, a supporter of the Zanu PF government featured on South African television, to delete two defamatory tweets, a website post, and a video on his Facebook page.

Upon a recent search by ZimLive, it appears that Matinyarare has removed the contested content.

Matinyarare, residing in South Africa, created videos and authored content criticizing what he perceived as an Innscor monopoly. He also took aim at Koudounaris, whom he labeled a “Rhodie,” a term used to describe descendants of British colonialists with nostalgia for colonial times. Koudounaris, born in Zimbabwe to Greek immigrant parents, denies fitting the definition of a Rhodie.

Justice Namhla Thina Siwendu, presiding over the Gauteng Division of the High Court of South Africa in Johannesburg, ordered Matinyarare to refrain from publishing any defamatory statements contained in the removed articles and video. Two of the videos were titled ‘Innscor has destroyed the taste of Zim food’ and ‘The Innscor problem explained.’ Matinyarare also authored an article on his website titled ‘Innscor food and feed monopoly have destroyed Zim beef, pork, and chicken.’

The court ruling allows Innscor and Koudounaris to file a civil damages claim within 30 days, extending the interim order until a final determination is reached. Failure to do so would result in the order being lifted.

Koudounaris co-founded Innscor in 1997 with his friend Michael Fowler, and the company has since become one of Zimbabwe’s largest conglomerates, with interests in other listed companies like Padenga, Axia Holdings, and Simbisa Brands. Innscor’s portfolio includes Colcom, National Foods, Capri, Profeeds, Pro Brands, NatPak, and Irvines.