Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A Murehwa – based community WhatsApp group administrator has appeared in court facing charges of contravening the 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 charges.
He was remanded in custody and is expected to have his formal pleadings recorded today.
The complainant in the matter is Taurai Siyawamwaya, a businessman who operates several enterprises in Harare and Murehwa.
Siyawamwaya is the father of Nathan Siyawamwaya, a person living with a mental disability.
The court heard that between June and December 2025, Manuhwa allegedly posted malicious messages on the Murehwa Times WhatsApp platform using an Econet-registered mobile number belonging to him.
According to the State, the messages claimed that a spiritual healer, identified as Kanemgo, had accused Siyawamwaya of causing his son’s illness through supernatural means.
The posts further alleged that Siyawamwaya had been hiding at Chibhanguza Hotel during a cleansing ceremony, awaiting the outcome of a traditional court’s verdict.
On September 3, 2025, Siyawamwaya reportedly became aware of the posts and viewed them as a cyberbullying attack intended to cause him emotional distress and damage his dignity.
He subsequently reported the matter to the police.
Investigations led to Manuhwa’s arrest on January 20, 2026.
Upon arrest, police recovered a cellphone and SIM card registered in Manuhwa’s name, which were allegedly used to commit the offence.
A forensic report from the CID Cyber Laboratory was obtained and is expected to be produced in court as evidence.
The matter is continuing.
