Online Reporter
Langalihle Mhiti
Zimpapers Entertainment Hub
Has cyberbullying become Zimbabwe’s newest silent killer? Have social media trolls finally crossed the line?
Those are the questions dominating entertainment circles after award-winning rapper Stunner made an emotional appeal for an end to online abuse, warning that cyberbullying is destroying lives, damaging self-esteem and leaving emotional scars that many people never recover from.
The outspoken musician, who has spent years in the public eye, says social media users have become too comfortable hiding behind their phones while humiliating others for entertainment.
Speaking in an interview, Stunner said many people still dismiss cyberbullying as harmless jokes without stopping to think about the emotional damage they leave behind.
“I recently spoke about this cyberbullying thing, and some people still think it’s a joke. It’s no different from body shaming. What people don’t know is how the person they are bullying is going to feel or react after their actions,” he said.
According to the rapper, online abuse has become so common that many people are changing who they are simply to please strangers on the internet. “Some have started bleaching because they were called names. Some lost weight they didn’t need to lose, while others gained weight because someone said they looked like they had been hungry all their lives. Young men and women have found themselves in bad places and situations because of other people’s thoughts and words,” he said.
He said what begins as a joke or a viral comment can easily become emotional abuse, leaving victims battling insecurity, anxiety and hopelessness.
Stunner said one of the most painful realities is that some people have become so overwhelmed by relentless online attacks that they lose hope. “Worse still, some have committed suicide because of such actions of hate or bad jokes on different platforms. Where is the pleasure in hurting someone? Just stop. Anything beyond that is abuse,” he said. The rapper revealed that his concern is not just based on what he has witnessed but also on what he has personally endured throughout his career.
Despite being one of Zimbabwe’s most recognisable musicians, Stunner said he has spent years dealing with cyberbullies who constantly judge, insult and ridicule him.
“I have been a victim of this for most of my life but because I was raised differently, in a strong way, people think it doesn’t affect me. I simply refuse to allow anyone to narrate my life story,” he said.
However, he warned that people should never mistake silence for strength. In one of the interview’s most emotional moments, Stunner admitted that even those who appear strong can eventually reach their breaking point.
“What if one day it becomes too much for me? Not everyone is able to cope with this kind of pressure,” he said.
His remarks have struck a chord with many in the entertainment industry, where musicians, actors, presenters and content creators continue to face relentless criticism over their music, appearance, relationships and personal lives.
For Stunner, the problem is no longer just about celebrities.
He believes cyberbullying has become a national social problem affecting young men and women who often suffer in silence after being mocked about their bodies, skin colour, appearance or personal circumstances.
The musician said people must understand that words carry weight and can leave wounds that are not visible to the eye.
He also warned that those who deliberately use social media to harass and abuse others should not assume they are beyond the reach of the law.
“If I get your name and where I can find you, trust me, you’re going to jail. You don’t joke like that with people because if they get hurt, you can’t simply buy them penicillin,” he said.
His comments come as cyberbullying continues to dominate conversations in Zimbabwe’s entertainment circles, with artists increasingly calling for greater responsibility from social media users. Stunner believes the culture of humiliating people for likes, shares and comments must come to an end before more lives are damaged. He urged Zimbabweans to think before they type, reminding them that every person behind a screen is human.
“There is no joy in hurting another person. Social media should be a place where we encourage one another, not a platform for humiliation and abuse. We all have a responsibility to be kinder because we never know what someone else is going through,” he said.
As debate around cyberbullying continues to grow, Stunner hopes his message will encourage people to choose compassion over cruelty and respect over ridicule.
His plea is simple: before posting that comment, ask yourself whether it will build someone up or break them down, because once words are released into the digital world, their impact can last a lifetime.
