Wicknell Chivayo Withdraws Charges Against Ex-Wife Sonja Madzikanda and Her Mother After Cyber-Bullying Case Arrests

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has withdrawn charges against his ex-wife, Sonja Louise Madzikanda, and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, following their arrest and several nights in custody over allegations linked to cyber-bullying and the circulation of an alleged AI-generated video involving South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. The decision came as the two women were expected to appear in court for a delayed bail hearing after prosecutors previously opposed their release. The case had drawn public attention due to its political sensitivity and the involvement of AI-generated digital content. Both Sonja and her mother were arrested on separate days, with Sonja detained on Monday and Tabitha arrested the following day. The withdrawal of charges shifts the direction of a case that had already entered early court proceedings in Harare.

The two women had appeared before Harare magistrate Chipo Manicure facing allegations of cyber-bullying and harassment under Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. Prosecutors alleged that the case involved photographs and videos that appeared to show Chivayo meeting President Ramaphosa before the South African leader’s official visit to Zimbabwe on May 3. Authorities further claimed that the material had been digitally altered or generated using artificial intelligence tools. According to the prosecution, the content was then circulated on social media platforms with the intent to embarrass both Chivayo and President Ramaphosa. The case highlighted growing legal concerns around the use of AI in creating manipulated political or personal content.

Court documents listed Wicknell Chivayo as the complainant and stated that the alleged actions caused him substantial emotional distress and public humiliation. Investigators claimed that Sonja had allegedly accessed Chivayo’s mobile phone during their marriage and obtained personal photographs and videos. Prosecutors further alleged that these materials were later shared with her mother, who also became implicated in the case. The state argued that the two then combined the material with AI-generated content as part of a broader online campaign targeting Chivayo. Investigations had been scheduled to continue until June 3, with four witnesses expected to testify before the withdrawal of charges altered the process.

The arrests came during a highly publicised and increasingly bitter dispute between Chivayo and Sonja following the collapse of their marriage. The couple married in 2019, but their relationship later broke down, leading to divorce proceedings initiated the previous year. Upon her arrest, Sonja argued that she was being targeted due to ongoing disputes involving access to their children. However, those claims were not formally part of the cyber-bullying charges before the court. The broader breakdown of the relationship has continued to generate legal and public tension between the former partners.

Separate allegations also surfaced during the dispute, including claims involving a US$1.4 million trust fund connected to Chivayo’s children. Reports suggested that Tabitha Madzikanda attempted to change trust administration arrangements and remove Chivayo as a signatory, although those claims have not yet been formally brought before the courts. These overlapping disputes added further complexity to an already tense legal and personal conflict between the parties. The involvement of financial and custody-related issues has intensified public interest in the case and its broader implications. Legal observers have noted that none of the additional allegations have yet progressed to formal trial proceedings.

The withdrawal of charges by Wicknell Chivayo marks a significant turning point in a case that has drawn attention to the growing risks linked to AI-generated content and online reputation disputes. It also reflects how personal conflicts can escalate into legal battles when digital tools are used to create or distribute manipulated media. While the immediate criminal proceedings against Sonja Madzikanda and her mother have been halted, the wider disputes surrounding the former couple remain unresolved. The case has highlighted the intersection of technology, law and personal relationships in modern society, especially as artificial intelligence becomes more accessible. The outcome leaves several underlying issues still open, but the formal withdrawal brings the immediate courtroom confrontation to an end.