BINDURA — A 24-year-old Bindura man, Kudakwashe Lordship Tengende, has been convicted by the Bindura Magistrates’ Court on charges of cyberbullying and harassment.
The Incident
According to a public bulletin released by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) on March 4, 2026, the conviction stems from an incident involving Tengende's 29-year-old ex-girlfriend. The two individuals separated on February 2, 2026, following a misunderstanding. Following the separation, Tengende reclaimed a cellphone he had previously given the victim to use, but he did not allow her the opportunity to log out of her personal Facebook and TikTok accounts.
On February 4, 2026, Tengende utilized this unauthorized access to log into the victim's social media accounts and post an "obscene audio message" intended to humiliate her. The platforms were accessible to over 3,500 of the victim's followers.
Repeated Harassment and Arrest
The NPAZ reported that the victim began receiving numerous phone calls from followers alerting her to the offensive content. Although the victim deleted the audio message, Tengende repeatedly reposted the material. The victim removed the post four times before she formally reported the matter to the police, which subsequently led to Tengende's arrest.
Sentencing and NPAZ Warning
Tengende pleaded guilty to the charges brought against him. The magistrate sentenced him to 12 months in prison, though the sentence was entirely suspended under specific conditions. Four months of the sentence were suspended on the condition that he does not commit a similar offence, while the remaining eight months were suspended on the condition that he performs 280 hours of community service.
In its bulletin, the NPAZ issued a firm public warning regarding digital conduct, stating, "Social media must not be weaponised to humiliate, harass or degrade others". The prosecuting authority emphasized that digital platforms are not lawless spaces and that individuals who abuse technology to settle personal scores will face severe legal consequences. - Zimbo LIVE Harare
