Chivayo's ex-father in-law accepts his 2 girlfriends in court

A prominent Harare business executive has told a Harare court that two women at the centre of a cyberbullying dispute are both his girlfriends, as he testified in a case arising from a bitter fallout between the pair.

David Madzikanda, Wicknell Chivayo's former father in law) gave evidence as a State witness before magistrate Lisa Mutendereki in a matter in which Tsitsi Mutseriwa accuses Millicent Murape of cyberbullying and malicious damage to property.

Murape has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During his testimony, Madzikanda confirmed that both women were involved in relationships with him.

He told the court that he had been in a relationship with Mutseriwa for several years but had never married her.

According to Madzikanda, an altercation between the two women occurred during the first week of July last year after he had gone to have lunch at Mutseriwa's residence and Murape arrived at the property.

Madzikanda also told the court that he owns the house where Mutseriwa lives and disputed her complaint relating to alleged property damage.

"I am the owner of that property, therefore, the only person who had the right to report any property damage is me, not Mutseriwa," he said.

He further testified that he had attempted to persuade Mutseriwa to withdraw the criminal case but alleged that she demanded that he build her a house and buy her a vehicle before she would agree to do so.

"I never married Mutseriwa and will never marry her. I have only one wife at home who works in a bank," Madzikanda told the court.

He also confirmed that Murape was his girlfriend and said they have a child together, describing the child's birth as the result of an arrangement between them.

According to Madzikanda, tensions between the two women escalated after Murape became pregnant, an event he said caused friction in the relationship.

The State alleges that on 5 July last year, Mutseriwa received abusive WhatsApp messages from Murape's mobile phone number.

Prosecutors further allege that additional abusive messages were sent the following day and that Mutseriwa did not respond to either communication.

Murape is also accused of using stones to break window panes at the house occupied by Mutseriwa.

The court heard that Murape had previously been a tenant at the property before beginning a relationship with Madzikanda.

During earlier proceedings, Mutseriwa alleged that Murape used WhatsApp messages to claim she was no longer a tenant but would soon take over the property as Madzikanda's wife.

Mutseriwa further alleged that Murape accused her of practising witchcraft by placing charms at her doorstep in an attempt to cause her to miscarry.

"This woman is our lodger and now my husband's girlfriend. She insulted me on WhatsApp and also broke my property's windows," Mutseriwa testified.

"She accused me of bewitching her by saying that I placed a charm on her doorstep so that she would miscarry her pregnancy and lose Dr Madzikanda's child."

Mutseriwa also told the court that when she confronted Murape about the alleged WhatsApp messages, she found Madzikanda inside Murape's apartment and claimed she was made to wait outside for about an hour.

She further alleged that Madzikanda has four other wives.

Mutseriwa said she reported the matter to the police because she believed Murape's conduct amounted to criminal behaviour and not because of jealousy over their relationship.

The matter is continuing before the Harare Magistrates' Court.