Businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo’s ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda, and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, spent another night in custody yesterday after their expected...
Businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo’s ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda, and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, spent another night in custody yesterday after their expected bail ruling failed to proceed at the magistrates’ court.
The matter could not continue after presiding magistrate Ms Nyaradzo Manokore did not attend court because she was unwell. The case was later postponed to today for continuation of the bail proceedings.
Advertisement
Sonja and her mother first appeared in court on Wednesday facing charges of cyberbullying and harassment. The pair had expected the court to determine their bail application yesterday before the postponement.
According to the State, the allegations stem from events that allegedly took place during Sonja Madzikanda’s marriage to businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo. Prosecutors allege that Sonja unlawfully accessed Mr Chivayo’s cellphone during the course of the marriage.
The State further alleges that after accessing the cellphone, Sonja downloaded several photographs and videos before allegedly sharing them with her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda.
Prosecutors also allege that the two women used artificial intelligence-generated photographs that purported to show Mr Chivayo together with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
According to the prosecution, the photographs and videos were later published on several social media platforms where the material quickly went viral. The State says the circulation of the material caused Mr Chivayo emotional distress and humiliation.
The case has also brought attention to information regarding a bank account that was initially mentioned during proceedings. It later emerged that the account in question was not held with FBC Bank, but instead that Mrs Madzikanda is employed by the bank.
The prosecution is being handled by Ms Monalisa Magwenzi. The State is expected to continue presenting its position when the matter resumes in court today.
The case has attracted public attention because of the involvement of prominent businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo and the allegations surrounding cyberbullying, artificial intelligence-generated images, and social media publication. The court is expected to determine whether Sonja Madzikanda and her mother will be granted bail when proceedings continue.
The postponement means the two accused women remained behind bars overnight while awaiting the magistrate’s return to court. Further developments in the cyberbullying and harassment case are expected during today’s proceedings.
The matter continues to draw interest on social media and in local news circles as the court process unfolds. The allegations involving cellphone access, AI-generated images, cyberbullying, harassment, and viral social media posts remain central to the State’s case against Sonja and Tabitha Madzikanda.
