Zimbabwe: Chivayo Drops Charges Against Ex-Wife Sonja, Mother-in-law

Lead

Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo has withdrawn charges against his ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda, and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, saying he has forgiven them for the sake of his children. The decision comes days after both women were arrested in separate cases, adding another twist to the couple's highly publicised divorce and custody dispute.

Speaking in an interview, Mr Chivayo said his children, who have been calling and asking for their mother, prompted him to reconsider. "She's the mother of my children, so I have forgiven her," he said. "My kids have been calling, asking, where is mommy? So, once it involves my kids, I'm defeated because they are the people I love the most."

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the story, AllAfrica covered the arrests, the allegations, and Mr Chivayo's subsequent withdrawal of charges. The coverage focused on different aspects of the dispute: one report detailed Tabitha Madzikanda's arrest on fraud allegations, another reported Sonja Madzikanda's account of her own detention, and two reports conveyed Mr Chivayo's statement about forgiving the women and dropping the charges.

Key Claims

Arrest of Tabitha Madzikanda

Tabitha Madzikanda, Mr Chivayo's ex-mother-in-law, was arrested by police officers on allegations of fraud, according to AllAfrica. She is said to have sought to siphon US$1.4 million from her grandchildren's trust account. Tabitha Madzikanda works for FBC Bank, which holds the account as a card manager. She is alleged to have asked co-workers to help remove Mr Chivayo as a signatory of the US$5 million account and to transfer funds for a property project involving cluster houses.

Arrest of Sonja Madzikanda

Sonja Madzikanda, the estranged wife of Mr Chivayo, was also in police custody on a different case, per AllAfrica. In a video statement, she said she was arrested and detained at Highlands Police Station on allegations of denying Mr Chivayo access to their children and stealing one of his electronic devices. She claimed she received two separate dockets on the same day, accusing her former husband of using the criminal justice system to intimidate her amid their ongoing custody and divorce proceedings.

"Today I received two dockets. The first was from Wicknell Munodaani Chivayo, alleging that I was denying him access to his children. This is now the second time he has done this to me," she said. According to her account, the dispute arose after she returned from a trip to China and carried out the children's school run before Mr Chivayo arrived with police officers. She further alleged that after her lawyer intervened, a second case was opened, accusing her of stealing one of Mr Chivayo's devices. "When he realised that my lawyer had come and defended me, a second docket was opened. He then alleged that I had stolen one of his devices. This is a man who is heavily guarded, as everyone is aware," she said.

Sonja Madzikanda also claimed that the arrest was linked to leaked videos of Mr Chivayo. "He is doing this because someone leaked videos of him and the President... That is why I am now being arrested and detained at Highlands Police Station," she said. She denied involvement, saying she had been outside the country and could not have accessed Mr Chivayo's phone.

Cyber Law Charges and Fake Images

Tabitha Madzikanda is set to face charges for violating the Cyber Law, according to AllAfrica, amid allegations that she was behind the circulation of images of Mr Chivayo with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that are said to be artificially generated. In his interview, Mr Chivayo said he did not regret having his ex-wife and former mother-in-law arrested, accusing the latter of circulating the fake pictures. "I don't regret anything," he said. "For my mother-in-law to circulate fake pictures of President Ramaphosa and me, I think that was a bit out of order. She went to the extreme. Citizens must respect Heads of State. That was uncalled for."

Withdrawal of Charges

Mr Chivayo said he has withdrawn the charges, saying he has forgiven both women for the sake of his children. Despite the fallout, he insisted relations had not completely broken down. "Our relationship can never end," he said. "We have two children, and I will still be there for them. I have forgiven them, that's why I've withdrawn the charges."

Fraud Allegations and US$5 Million Trust

Mr Chivayo also addressed allegations of fraud linked to the dispute, saying no fraud had ultimately been committed, although he accused his ex-wife and mother-in-law of attempting to use funds set aside for their children to purchase land valued at US$1.4 million. "Well, as a person who understands the law, there was no fraud that was committed," he said. "But she attempted to buy some piece of land worth US$1.4 million with my children's investment. And according to the High Court order, we agreed that US$5 million is for my children's cash investment. The money belongs to my kids, so I just play an oversight role."

The courts had ordered that Sonja Madzikanda be paid US$5 million in relation to the access and maintenance dispute, according to the reports.

Perspectives

Wicknell Chivayo

Mr Chivayo maintains that the arrests were justified, citing the alleged circulation of fake images and the attempted use of children's funds for land purchase, but says he has forgiven the women and withdrawn charges for the sake of his children.

Sonja Madzikanda

Ms Madzikanda says she was arrested on allegations she denies, including denying Mr Chivayo access to their children and stealing a device, and claims the arrest was an attempt to intimidate her amid divorce and custody proceedings.