AI Image Scandal Rocks Wicknell Chivayo as Ex-In-Laws Arrested

Tabitha Madzikanda, the former mother-in-law of businessman Wicknell Chivayo, has been arrested, according to her lawyer Rungano Mahuni.

Her daughter, Sonja Madzikanda, Chivayo’s ex-wife, reportedly spent a night in police custody and is expected to appear in court alongside her mother on Wednesday.

The lawyer said the exact charges have not yet been fully clarified, but indicated that police have mentioned allegations including unauthorised dissemination of information and actions seen as undermining the authority of the President.

He added that they are awaiting formal charge details.

However, police sources claim Tabitha Madzikanda, an FBC Bank executive, is also facing fraud-related accusations.

She is alleged to have attempted to access about US$1.4 million from a children’s trust linked to Chivayo, allegedly intending to use the funds for land acquisition and construction of cluster homes.

Investigators further allege she tried to remove Chivayo as a signatory to the account in order to facilitate the withdrawal.

In a separate complaint, Chivayo reportedly told authorities that Sonja breached a High Court order regulating access to their two minor children, which could result in contempt of court proceedings.

He is also said to have accused Tabitha of using artificial intelligence tools to alter images in a way that falsely suggested he had met South African President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier than their actual meeting during the president’s recent visit to Zimbabwe.

An image circulating online, allegedly showing Chivayo and Ramaphosa, has been described by Chivayo as fake and digitally manipulated, with claims that it was intended to damage the South African president’s reputation and Chivayo’s business interests.

South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya previously stated that Ramaphosa had no prior knowledge of Chivayo before their encounter in Zimbabwe.

Police are reportedly analysing Tabitha Madzikanda’s phone to determine whether the images were digitally altered.

Chivayo has not publicly commented on the arrests.