Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
A FORMER School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson at Chinotimba Primary School in Victoria Falls, was on Thursday convicted and sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for cyberbullying the school headmistress early this year.
Bhekimpilo Tshongwe (37) of Chinotimba was, however, spared jail time after four months was suspended for five years, on condition of good behaviour and the remaining six months suspended on condition he performs 210 hours of community service at the Victoria Falls Magistrates’ Court.
The prosecutor, Mrs Audrey Mukanganya told the court that Tshongwe violated the Cyber and Data Protection Act, by unlawfully and intentionally sending a WhatsApp message to the Chinotimba Primary School parents’ group.
The message falsely alleged that headmistress Mrs Thandiwe Matema wanted the SDC removed to “cover up her offences.”
The prosecution argued that Tshongwe intended to coerce, intimidate, harass and humiliate Mrs Matema, causing her substantial distress.
“On 8 February 2025, at Chinotimba, Victoria Falls, the accused person (Tshongwe) generated and sent a WhatsApp message to Chinotimba Primary School parents group, stating that the complainant (Mrs Matema) wanted the School Development Committee removed to cover up her offences
“The offence came to light when Mrs Matema received the message sent by Tshongwe from one of the parents (name withheld),” said Mrs Mukanganya.
She said Mrs Matema went on to report the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of Tshongwe.
Victoria Falls Magistrate, Mr Gift Manyika presided over the case.
Meanwhile, another 37-year-old woman from Chinotimba in Victoria Falls has been fined US$250 also, for cyberbullying and harassment.
The court heard that on 9 May 2025 and at a house in Chinotimba, through WhatsApp messenger, Ivonne Dube (37) unlawfully and intentionally generated and sent a voice message to Thandiwe Nyoni insulting her with unprintable words including calling her a dog and a prostitute, who is HIV-positive.
The message, the court heard, was intended to coerce, intimidate, harass, bully or cause substantial distress or to degrade, humiliate or demean Thandiwe Nyoni.
It was the State’s case that on 8 May 2025 at Chinotimba rank, the accused person (Ivonne Dube) approached the complainant (Thandiwe Nyoni) and accused her of having an affair with her boyfriend.
The court further heard that on 9 May 2025 at a house in Chinotimba, Victoria Falls at around 8pm, Dube sent a voice message to Thandiwe Nyoni insulting her in iSiNdebele with words that when translated into English meant that she is a dog, prostitute and that she is HIV-positive.
Nyoni went on to report the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the Dube. — @nyeve14
