Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
CONTROVERSIAL social media influencer, Evangelica Sandie, allegedly took advantage of Pattricia Jack’s unconscious state on her hospital bed, to use the latter’s thumbprint to gain access into her mobile phone.
Pattricia Jack, who is also a controversial content creator, was hospitalised at West End Hospital in Harare last month, after she tried to take her own life.
Evangelica Sandie, whose real name is Raviro Munodawafa, used Pattricia Jack’s thumbprint to gain access to her phone.
She then downloaded Pattricia Jack’s personal data.
Yesterday, Evangelica Sandie appeared in court on cyberbullying charges.
The State alleges that on April 14, Pattricia Jack was admitted at West End Hospital after allegedly attempting to take her own life.
It is alleged that while she was unconscious and bedridden, Evangelica Sandie allegedly took advantage of the situation and used her thumbprint to access her cellphone, without her consent.
Prosecutors allege that she unlocked the phone and took screenshots and obtained personal information which Pattricia Jack had stored in her mobile phone.
The court heard that a friend, who was present, confronted Evangelica Sandie after noticing her unusual actions, leading to a row inside the hospital room.
Sandie is now being accused of posting threatening videos, audios and private information about Pattricia Jack on social media.
She appeared before Harare magistrate, Micheal Mafukidze, who released her on free bail.
The State alleges that a day after accessing Pattricia Jack’s phone, through her unorthodox means, Evangelica Sandie allegedly went live on Facebook threatening Pattricia Jack and her friend.
She allegedly also sent audios relating to Pattricia Jack’s private life.
She allegedly posted a love proposal message, using Pattricia Jack’s photograph as a background image, and continued sharing information intended to humiliate and degrade her.
It is also alleged that Evangelica Sandie later went to Pattricia Jack’s home, gained entry through a child known to her, and took medication belonging to the latter’s younger sister.
She then allegedly posted the medication on Facebook.
Prosecutors say the actions damaged Pattricia Jack’s reputation and affected her social life.
The matter is still pending.
It has been quite an eventful few months for Pattricia Jack. Last month, she was fined US$150 or 30 days’ imprisonment for causing chaos by insulting police officers at Highlands Police Station.
She pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct charges.
After causing the disturbance, in which she threatened she would use her powerful connections to get the officers fired and accused them of taking bribes, she escaped with a US$150 fine.
Pattricia Jack pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct when she appeared before Harare magistrate Tapiwa Kuhudzai.
In passing sentence, magistrate Kuhudzai condemned her behaviour but noted mitigating factors.
“Such kind of conduct cannot be tolerated in our jurisdiction. Court took into consideration that she was a first-time offender and a single mother.”
In mitigation, Pattricia Jack told the court that she is a divorcee and a mother of an 11-year-old and that she works as a social influencer.
She apologised and pledged not to repeat the crime.
The complainant was the State, which was represented by Emma Habeza of ZRP Highlands.
Prosecutor Takudzwa Mutyavaviri proved that Pattricia Jack arrived at ZRP Highlands Police Station following the arrest of a friend.
Her conduct was said to have tarnished the image of the station and disrupted police activities.
Bongani Ndlovu