Chivayo withdraws cyberbullying case against ex-wife Sonja Madzikanda and her mother, citing children

Chivayo withdraws cyberbullying case against ex-wife Sonja Madzikanda and her mother, citing children
For all the News from Mashonaland Central, Join One of Our Groups: https://chat.whatsapp.com/KPKHV62YLF92BvfqmgemLT

HARARE – Businessman Wicknell Chivayo has withdrawn charges of cyberbullying and harassment against his estranged ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda, and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, ending — for now — a case that had landed both women in custody.

The withdrawal was announced on 22 May 2026, after Sonja and Tabitha had been arrested earlier in the week and appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court. Tabitha, described in the proceedings as a 62-year-old senior manager in compliance at FBC Bank, was arrested on 18 May, while Sonja was arrested on 19 May. The two were remanded in custody pending a bail hearing, with the State opposing bail on the basis of the seriousness of the allegations.

According to the allegations presented in court, Sonja and Tabitha were facing charges of “cyber-bullying and harassment as defined in Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]”. Prosecutors said the matter involved “Artificial Intelligence-generated photographs and videos”, which were to be produced as exhibits. The State indicated investigations were expected to be completed by 3 June, with four witnesses listed to testify and Detective Sergeant Chimera named as the investigating officer.

Before appearing in court, Sonja Madzikanda publicly claimed her arrest was linked to allegations that she had stolen Chivayo’s mobile phone and denied him access to their two children. There were also reports suggesting Tabitha Madzikanda was implicated in attempts to change administration arrangements for a trust fund, including removing Chivayo as a signatory. However, at court the charges proceeded on the cyberbullying and harassment allegations.

To Advertise Inbox Us: https://wa.me/263719679800

Speaking after withdrawing the complaint, Chivayo said he had decided to forgive the pair for the sake of his children. “She’s the mother of my children, so I have forgiven her,” he said. “My kids have been calling, asking, where is mommy? So, once it involves my kids, I’m defeated because they are the people I love the most.”

He also used the Shona phrase “Vanzwa butter”, suggesting the period in custody had been a lesson. At the same time, Chivayo said he had no regrets about the initial arrests, alleging that his mother-in-law had circulated fake images portraying him with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. “For my mother-in-law to circulate fake pictures of President Ramaphosa and me, I think that was a bit out of order. She went to the extreme. Citizens must respect Heads of State. That was uncalled for,” he said.

Chivayo further linked the dispute to disagreements over funds set aside for his children. He said no fraud had been committed, but alleged there had been an attempt to use the money inappropriately. “But she attempted to buy some piece of land worth US$1.4 million with my children’s investment,” he said, adding that a High Court order provided for a US$5 million cash investment for the children, over which he said he had an oversight role. “The money belongs to my kids, so I just play an oversight role. So for her to try and remove my name so that she and her mother can go and build clusters, that’s unacceptable,” he said.

While the case at the magistrates court focused on cyberbullying and harassment, the episode has added to the long-running public debate around Chivayo, whose name has repeatedly featured in national headlines over business deals, governance questions and allegations of corruption — which he has denied.

Chivayo has also drawn attention through high-profile giving that is often widely shared on social media. In March 2026, he gifted Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi of the Zion Christian Church a 2026 Mercedes-Benz Maybach S680 valued at US$450,000 and donated US$2 million to the church, according to reports. Other donations he has publicised have included vehicles and cash gifts to church leaders and members.

The withdrawal of the Madzikanda case means the cyberbullying and harassment matter will not proceed on Chivayo’s complaint, despite earlier indications that investigators were working towards a June timeline. For many Zimbabweans following the case closely, the episode has again highlighted how disputes involving digital content — including alleged AI-generated images and videos — are increasingly being tested under Zimbabwe’s cyberbullying and harassment laws.

Follow Our WhatsApp Channel for all the News from Mashonaland Central – Bindura, Mbire, Guruve, Mount Darwin, Rushinga, Shamva, Mazowe & Muzarabani: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VacMUmW5fM5a666kb33A