Harare businessman tells court both women in cyberbullying case are his girlfriends

HARARE – A prominent Harare businessman has told the Harare Magistrates' Court that the two women at the centre of a cyberbullying and malicious damage to property case are both his girlfriends, as he testified in an ongoing criminal trial stemming from a deteriorating personal relationship.

David Madzikanda, who appeared as a State witness before magistrate Lisa Mutendereki, gave evidence in the case in which Millicent Murape is facing charges of cyberbullying and malicious damage to property following a complaint lodged by Tsitsi Mutseriwa. Murape has pleaded not guilty to both charges. Giving evidence, Madzikanda confirmed that he has separate relationships with both women. He told the court that he had been involved with Mutseriwa for several years but had never married her.

According to his testimony, the dispute escalated during the first week of July last year after he visited Mutseriwa's residence for lunch. He said Murape later arrived at the property, triggering a confrontation between the two women. Madzikanda also disputed part of the complainant's case relating to alleged property damage, telling the court that he owns the house occupied by Mutseriwa.

"I am the owner of that property; therefore, the only person who had the right to report any property damage is me, not Mutseriwa," he testified.

He further claimed that he had attempted to persuade Mutseriwa to withdraw the criminal complaint but alleged she demanded that he build her a house and buy her a vehicle before agreeing to do so.

"I never married Mutseriwa and will never marry her. I have only one wife at home who works in a bank," Madzikanda told the court.

The businessman also confirmed that Murape is his girlfriend and that they have a child together. He testified that tensions between the two women intensified after Murape became pregnant. According to the prosecution, Mutseriwa received abusive WhatsApp messages from Murape's mobile phone on 5 July last year, followed by additional messages the following day. Prosecutors allege that Mutseriwa did not respond to the communications.

Murape is also accused of throwing stones at the house occupied by Mutseriwa, breaking several window panes. The State alleges that the incident formed part of a broader campaign of harassment. Earlier in the trial, Mutseriwa testified that Murape sent WhatsApp messages claiming she would eventually become Madzikanda's wife and take over the property, where Murape had previously lived as a tenant before beginning a relationship with the businessman.

Mutseriwa also alleged that Murape accused her of practising witchcraft by placing charms at her doorstep to cause her pregnancy to miscarry. She further told the court that when she confronted Murape over the alleged messages, she found Madzikanda inside Murape's apartment and was allegedly left waiting outside for about an hour. Mutseriwa also claimed that Madzikanda has four other wives.

Mutseriwa maintained that she reported the matter to police because she believed Murape's alleged conduct amounted to criminal offences rather than being motivated by jealousy arising from their personal relationships. The trial continues before the Harare Magistrates' Court, with further witnesses expected to testify before the court determines whether the prosecution has proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Harare cyberbullying case