Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
POLICE have confirmed the arrest of the ex-wife of businessman Mr Wicknell Chivayo and her mother in connection with criminal allegations made to the police over the investment account of his two children.
In a statement, national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi said more details will be released in due course pending investigations.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of Sonja Louise Madzikanda and Tabeth Madzikanda in connection with criminal allegations made to the police. More details will be availed in due course,” he said.
Sonja Madzikanda was the first to be picked up for questioning. Her mother, who is a senior FBC Bank manager, was then picked up yesterday by detectives from CID Law and Order on allegations of fraud and cybersecurity breaches.
According to the complaint by Mr Chivayo, which The Herald has seen, he claims that Madzikanda and other bank officials conspired to illegally remove him as a signatory from his two children’s investment account and attempted to transfer over US$1,4 million from the account without his oversight.
Last month, Mr Chivayo was ordered to deposit an outstanding US$2,8 million as part of the US$5 million divorce settlement into a bank account controlled by his ex-wife, Sonja Madzikanda, with him having oversight of the operation of that account.
He was ordered to settle the balance within 30 days.
The US$1,4 million in question is part of the money settled.
In the allegations involving the violation of cyber laws, it is alleged that Madzikanda is behind the circulation of artificial intelligence-generated photos of the businessman with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“Preliminary investigations show that the images were generated from her phone. This is all designed to cause confusion and suggest that there was an unsanctioned meeting with the President,” a source said.
Tabeth Madzikanda joins her daughter Sonja in police custody, and the two are set to appear in court today.
