Olinda Chapel Foundation Shuts Down Amid Cyberbullying Controversy

UK‑based Zimbabwean business woman and philanthropist Olinda Chapel has announced the closure of her charity, the Olinda Chapel Foundation, citing personal hardship and family priorities, amid a high‑profile legal battle over cyberbullying charges.

In an emotional public statement, Chapel said she has “done the best I can for my country” and detailed years of community support from feeding the homeless and sponsoring education to assisting families during the COVID‑19 pandemic, all funded from her own resources. She added that continuing the foundation would no longer be feasible as she focuses on her own wellbeing and that of her children.

However, the announcement comes at a time when Chapel is facing cyberbullying charges in Zimbabwe’s courts. She appeared before Harare Magistrates’ Court after prosecutors alleged she used a December Facebook Live broadcast to verbally attack and threaten Dyonne Tafirenyika, the former wife of musician Desmond “Stunner” Chideme. Prosecutors said the video was intended to intimidate, harass and emotionally distress the complainant.

Chapel was not asked to plead and was released on US$100 bail, with conditions including surrendering her passport and regular reporting to police. Her next court appearance is scheduled for January 16, 2026.

In the days following her court appearance, Chapel issued a public apology, admitting her actions were “harmful, disrespectful and completely wrong,” and expressing regret for involving Tafirenyika’s child and causing distress.

The foundation’s closure marks a dramatic turn for a figure once widely recognised for charity work and community support. In her resignation statement, Chapel said she no longer has the ability to assist others while dealing with her own family challenges, and urged supporters to refrain from contacting her for help.

As the legal process unfolds and public scrutiny persists, the closure of the Olinda Chapel Foundation raises broader questions about the reputational impact of online conduct on philanthropic work and the responsibilities of public figures in the digital era.