Murape Ordered to Retract Defamatory WhatsApp Claims Against Walter Musanhu

Former Dynamos captain Murape Murape has been ordered to retract and apologise for defamatory WhatsApp claims against ex-youth international Walter Musanhu (image source)

Former Dynamos captain Murape Murape has been formally served with a demand to retract and apologise for statements deemed defamatory against former Zimbabwe youth international Walter “Ringers” Musanhu, legal representatives for Musanhu confirmed on Monday.

The contested messages were posted in a WhatsApp group called Former Footballers and reportedly accused Musanhu of having an incestuous relationship with his sisters, repeatedly referred to him as “mainini,” and falsely alleged that he never played for Dynamos, Young Warriors, or Motor Action. The messages went viral, prompting Musanhu’s legal team to act through James Majatame Attorneys at Law, who described the allegations as false, malicious, and wholly unsubstantiated.

The legal notice served on Murape demands:

•A full retraction in mainstream media within five days,

•Publication of a written apology and retraction in The Herald and The Sunday Mail for four consecutive weeks, and

•An immediate cessation of any direct contact with Musanhu.

Failure to comply, the lawyers warned, would trigger civil litigation for defamation damages and could also lead to criminal proceedings under the Cyber and Data Protection Act (Chapter 12:07).

Musanhu has declined to comment directly and referred all media enquiries to his lawyers, who emphasised the reputational harm caused by the viral messages and the broader need to curb cyberbullying and harassment. The legal representatives further argued that Murape’s statements implied criminal and immoral conduct — including incest, witchcraft, and corruption — and thus crossed the threshold from opinion into actionable defamation.

Observers say the case underscores growing tensions surrounding the use of social and messaging platforms, where rumours and personal attacks can spread rapidly and inflict lasting damage on reputations and livelihoods.

Media law expert Advocate Tendai Chikodzi noted that WhatsApp groups are “fertile ground for defamatory material” because messages are often amplified without verification, heightening legal exposure for both authors and administrators.

Sports stakeholders also expressed concern that the dispute could erode goodwill within the former players’ fraternity and the broader football community. A former teammate, speaking anonymously, described the allegations as “out of character” for both men and urged a swift, transparent resolution to avoid further harm.

The legal notice also underscores Musanhu’s standing and credibility as a former national youth international, director of Jadel Football Academy (China and Zimbabwe), and leader of the Jadel FA 2034 World Cup Project — credentials cited as evidence of the serious reputational damage inflicted by the viral claims.

The matter now rests with Murape, who has five days to comply with the retraction demand or face legal escalation. Legal analysts note that any ensuing litigation could test Zimbabwe’s defamation and cyber-harassment laws, potentially setting a precedent for how social-media disputes among public figures are handled in future.