News / National
Woman arrested over violent voice on chat group
03 Jun 2025 at 14:54hrs | Views
A 27-year-old woman from Kadoma, Vernah Madhlangove, has been remanded in custody after allegedly using WhatsApp to incite public violence in her community.
Madhlangove appeared before the Kadoma Magistrates' Court facing charges of incitement to commit public violence. Prosecutors told the court that between 24 and 28 May 2025, she used her grey Tecno Pop 6 Go cellphone to send inflammatory messages via a WhatsApp group called Kadoma Misasa.
One of the messages, which alarmed both residents and authorities, reportedly read: "We should assault whoever remains in the house" - a direct call to violence that prosecutors say was part of efforts to stir unrest ahead of an illegal demonstration planned for 29 May against the Government of Zimbabwe.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed that her messages were intended to mobilise participants for the protest and encouraged acts of aggression, prompting her arrest and subsequent prosecution.
Madhlangove was denied bail and will remain in custody until her next court appearance on 12 June. The court cited the seriousness of the charges and the potential threat to public order as grounds for the decision.
Speaking outside the courtroom, a legal officer underscored the broader implications of the case: "Freedom of expression is not a licence to promote anarchy. The law must protect both speech and safety."
The case has sparked renewed debate around social media use and the fine line between free expression and incitement, as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with digital activism and political dissent in the age of instant messaging platforms.
Madhlangove appeared before the Kadoma Magistrates' Court facing charges of incitement to commit public violence. Prosecutors told the court that between 24 and 28 May 2025, she used her grey Tecno Pop 6 Go cellphone to send inflammatory messages via a WhatsApp group called Kadoma Misasa.
One of the messages, which alarmed both residents and authorities, reportedly read: "We should assault whoever remains in the house" - a direct call to violence that prosecutors say was part of efforts to stir unrest ahead of an illegal demonstration planned for 29 May against the Government of Zimbabwe.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) confirmed that her messages were intended to mobilise participants for the protest and encouraged acts of aggression, prompting her arrest and subsequent prosecution.
Madhlangove was denied bail and will remain in custody until her next court appearance on 12 June. The court cited the seriousness of the charges and the potential threat to public order as grounds for the decision.
Speaking outside the courtroom, a legal officer underscored the broader implications of the case: "Freedom of expression is not a licence to promote anarchy. The law must protect both speech and safety."
The case has sparked renewed debate around social media use and the fine line between free expression and incitement, as Zimbabwe continues to grapple with digital activism and political dissent in the age of instant messaging platforms.
Source - B-Metro
