Headman granted peace order in cyber-bullying case

A headman in Chief Marange's area has obtained a peace order against a man he accused of cyber-bullying, harassment and interfering with his traditional leadership duties.

Headman William Tendai Chanakira of Chanakira area successfully applied for the order at the Mutare Magistrates' Court, where Magistrate Thandiwe Sibanda ruled in his favour against respondent Sony Manyande.

In his court application, Chanakira alleged that Manyande had been using electronic communication platforms to intimidate him, undermine his authority and meddle in cases under his jurisdiction.

He further claimed that Manyande was a "hired criminal content creator" allegedly working with a woman named Iyanai Chanakira in a scheme to secure a criminal conviction against him — a development that would disqualify him from serving as headman.

According to court papers, Manyande, Assistant Inspector Mbengo of ZRP Marange and Iyanai allegedly attempted to block Chanakira from prosecuting Iyanai for causing violence during a headman assembly held on May 4, 2025. However, with intervention from a provincial police official, Chanakira was able to charge her under case number CR19/6/2025.

"Respondent is cyber-bullying applicant and interfering in my work in my jurisdiction," the application stated.

The headman also tendered audio recordings in which the respondent allegedly vowed to "dethrone" him from his post by ensuring he was convicted of a criminal offence. He further accused Manyande of contacting people whose cases he had presided over in an attempt to influence outcomes in the magistrates' courts.

Chanakira asked the court to bar Manyande from "searching clients in his area and connecting them to legal practitioners" in ways that could disrupt his traditional duties.

Granting the peace order, Magistrate Sibanda directed Manyande not to "threaten, harass or communicate with the applicant via telephone or cellphone and not to disturb the applicant's peace".