CYBER COURT ROOM: Wicknell Chivayo’s Ex-Wife Sonja Madzikanda and Mother in Dock Over Cyber Violations

HARARE — Sonja Louise Madzikanda, the ex-wife of flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo, and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court yesterday facing allegations of violating the country’s data protection and cyber laws. The mother-daughter duo appeared before Harare Magistrate Ms. Nyaradzo Manokore, marking the latest chapter in a series of highly publicized legal and personal disputes following the breakdown of Sonja’s high-profile marriage to the tenderpreneur.

Representing the accused, prominent defense lawyer Mr. Rungano Mahuni stated that both clients are vehemently denying the charges being leveled against them by the state. During the initial appearance, Mr. Mahuni submitted an application for bail, arguing that the state lacked compelling reasons to keep his clients in custody pending trial. The defense emphasized that both women are law-abiding citizens who pose no flight risk and are fully prepared to clear their names in court.

After listening to arguments from both the state and the defense, Magistrate Manokore deferred the matter to today, May 21, 2026, for the formal bail ruling. The magistrate noted that the brief postponement was necessary to allow the court time to thoroughly examine the submissions and deliver an informed decision.

While the specific details of the alleged cyber contravention were not fully read out in the initial open court session, the case comes under the Cyber and Data Protection Act, which heavily penalizes data breaches, online harassment, transmission of intimate images without consent, and the distribution of data that threatens individual privacy.

The Southerton Business Times will continue to track the court proceedings as the bail determination is delivered.

Sonja Madzikanda cyber court case

Sonja Madzikanda, Wicknell Chivayo, Harare Magistrates Court, Cyber Law, Zimbabwe Data Protection, Nyaradzo Manokore, Rungano Mahuni, Court News.