Chivayo's father-in-law caught in love triangle

A domestic dispute involving the father-in-law of businessman Wicknell Chivayo has spilled into the courts, with allegations of cyberbullying, insults and property damage emerging from a contentious love triangle.

Millicent Murape appeared before Harare magistrate Lisa Mutendereki facing charges of cyberbullying under the Cyber and Data Protection Act as well as malicious damage to property.

The complainant is Mutseriwa Madzikanda, the wife of businessman and medical practitioner David Madzikanda.

According to evidence presented in court, Murape was initially a lodger at the Madzikanda family property before allegedly entering into a relationship with Madzikanda.

The State alleges that Murape sent offensive and insulting WhatsApp messages to Mutseriwa, allegedly boasting that she was taking over her husband and would become the new landlady.

Testifying before the court, Mutseriwa claimed Murape also accused her of witchcraft and alleged that she had placed traditional charms at her doorstep in an attempt to cause a miscarriage.

"This woman is our lodger and now my husband's girlfriend. She insulted me on WhatsApp and also broke my window panes," Mutseriwa told the court.

"She accused me of bewitching her, saying I placed a charm on her doorstep so she would miscarry her pregnancy with Madzikanda's child."

Mutseriwa said she eventually sought a protection order against Murape after receiving what she described as abusive messages.

She also recounted an incident in which she allegedly discovered her husband at Murape's apartment after going there to confront her about the messages.

"I know Murape had her own husband, so I was surprised to see my husband inside her room in the middle of the day when he was supposed to be at work," she testified.

Mutseriwa denied that jealousy motivated her complaint, telling the court that her concerns related to the alleged harassment and abuse she had experienced.

During cross-examination, she stated that Madzikanda had relationships with other women but insisted that was not the basis of her complaint.

In her defence, Murape denied the allegations and told the court that both she and the complainant were involved with Madzikanda.

She accused Mutseriwa of stalking her and attempting to damage her reputation because of the relationship.

Murape further denied sending abusive messages or damaging property at the complainant's residence.

According to court papers, the alleged cyberbullying offences relate to WhatsApp messages reportedly sent on July 5 and July 6, 2025.

The matter has been postponed to next week, when Madzikanda is expected to testify before the court.

The case continues.