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WhatsApp group admin in court over defamatory posts
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A Murehwa-based community WhatsApp group administrator has appeared in court facing charges of contravening Zimbabwe's Cyber and Data Protection Act after allegedly posting harmful and defamatory messages targeting a local businessman.
Tasunungurwa Freedom Manuhwa, the administrator of the Murehwa Times community WhatsApp group, appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzayi on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Manuhwa was remanded in custody and is expected to have his formal plea recorded today.
The complainant in the matter is Taurai Siyawamwaya, a businessman with operations in both Harare and Murehwa, and the father of Nathan Siyawamwaya, who lives with a mental disability.
According to the State, between June and December 2025, Manuhwa used a mobile phone number registered in his name to post malicious and defamatory messages on the Murehwa Times WhatsApp platform.
Prosecutors allege that the messages claimed a spiritual healer, identified as Kanemgo, had accused Siyawamwaya of causing his son's condition through supernatural means. The posts further alleged that Siyawamwaya had been hiding at Chibhanguza Hotel during a supposed cleansing ceremony while awaiting the outcome of a traditional court's verdict.
The court heard that on September 3, 2025, Siyawamwaya became aware of the posts and viewed them as a cyberbullying attack intended to cause emotional distress and undermine his dignity and reputation.
He subsequently reported the matter to the police, triggering investigations that culminated in Manuhwa's arrest on January 20, 2026.
Upon arrest, police allegedly recovered a cellphone and SIM card registered in Manuhwa's name, which were used to commit the offence. A forensic report from the CID Cyber Laboratory was compiled and is expected to be produced in court as part of the State's evidence.
The case highlights growing concerns over the misuse of community social media platforms and the legal consequences of spreading unverified, harmful information online.
The matter is continuing.
Tasunungurwa Freedom Manuhwa, the administrator of the Murehwa Times community WhatsApp group, appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzayi on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to the charge.
Manuhwa was remanded in custody and is expected to have his formal plea recorded today.
The complainant in the matter is Taurai Siyawamwaya, a businessman with operations in both Harare and Murehwa, and the father of Nathan Siyawamwaya, who lives with a mental disability.
According to the State, between June and December 2025, Manuhwa used a mobile phone number registered in his name to post malicious and defamatory messages on the Murehwa Times WhatsApp platform.
Prosecutors allege that the messages claimed a spiritual healer, identified as Kanemgo, had accused Siyawamwaya of causing his son's condition through supernatural means. The posts further alleged that Siyawamwaya had been hiding at Chibhanguza Hotel during a supposed cleansing ceremony while awaiting the outcome of a traditional court's verdict.
The court heard that on September 3, 2025, Siyawamwaya became aware of the posts and viewed them as a cyberbullying attack intended to cause emotional distress and undermine his dignity and reputation.
He subsequently reported the matter to the police, triggering investigations that culminated in Manuhwa's arrest on January 20, 2026.
Upon arrest, police allegedly recovered a cellphone and SIM card registered in Manuhwa's name, which were used to commit the offence. A forensic report from the CID Cyber Laboratory was compiled and is expected to be produced in court as part of the State's evidence.
The case highlights growing concerns over the misuse of community social media platforms and the legal consequences of spreading unverified, harmful information online.
The matter is continuing.
Source - the herald
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