Sonja Louise Madzikanda and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, could spend the weekend and public holiday in remand prison after the magistrate presiding over their matter reportedly fell ill.
The two are facing charges of contravening cyber and data protection laws.
A stand-in magistrate sitting in for Nyaradzo Manokore told the court that the matter could only proceed on Friday, subject to Manokore’s availability and recovery.
The accused are being represented by lawyer Runhano Mahuni.
Yesterday marked their fourth day in custody after spending two nights at Highlands Police Station and another two nights at Harare Remand Prison.
The complainant in the matter is businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
According to the State, Chivayo and Sonja were married between 2019 and 2024 before their union was annulled by the High Court of Zimbabwe. Tabitha Madzikanda is Sonja’s biological mother.
Prosecutors allege that during the subsistence of the marriage, Sonja unlawfully accessed Chivayo’s cellphone and downloaded several photographs and videos, which she allegedly shared with her mother.
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The State further alleges that during May 2026, the two accused used artificial intelligence (AI) technology to generate images purportedly depicting Chivayo in association with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
It is alleged the AI-generated images were subsequently published on various social media platforms, where they went viral.
Prosecutors say the publication of the material caused substantial emotional distress and humiliation to the complainant.
