Harare, Zimbabwe – Prominent businessman Wicknell Chivayo has reportedly withdrawn charges against his ex-wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda. The development comes as the two women were scheduled for a bail hearing this morning, following their arrest over the weekend.
Sonja Madzikanda and Tabitha Madzikanda, a senior executive at FBC Bank, were taken into custody on charges primarily related to cyber-bullying and harassment. These allegations stemmed from the alleged publication of Artificial Intelligence-generated images depicting Mr. Chivayo alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) contended that these images were created to suggest a meeting between the two individuals prior to their publicly acknowledged encounter on May 3, potentially causing political embarrassment to President Ramaphosa.
Further allegations against the Madzikandas included claims that Sonja unlawfully accessed Mr. Chivayo’s mobile phone during their marriage, which concluded with divorce proceedings initiated last year. It was alleged that photographs and videos obtained from his device were subsequently shared with her mother and utilized in a social media campaign, causing Mr. Chivayo “substantial emotional distress and humiliation.” The pair faced charges under Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
Separately, Tabitha Madzikanda faced accusations of attempting to defraud a US$1.4 million trust fund established for Mr. Chivayo’s children. These charges involved alleged attempts to alter the trust’s administration and remove Mr. Chivayo as a signatory.
The withdrawal of charges by Mr. Chivayo marks a significant turn in a case that has garnered considerable public attention. The legal proceedings had seen the prosecution strongly oppose bail, citing the gravity of the alleged offences and the potential for reoffending. Sonja Madzikanda had spent three nights in custody, while her mother, Tabitha, had been detained for two nights prior to the scheduled bail hearing.
This development suggests a potential resolution or de-escalation of the contentious legal disputes between the parties involved. Further details regarding the terms or reasons for the withdrawal of charges are anticipated as the situation unfolds.
