HARARE – Rutendo Maraire, a female journalist who works as an intern for local online publication Sources Media, filed a police report against flamboyant businessman Wicknell Chivayo, claiming he cyberbullied and sexually harassed her.
The cyberbullying and sexual harassment reportedly happened after Maraire asked Chivayo about expensive vehicles he had given to musicians as gifts.
Leaked WhatsApp conversations showed that Chivayo sent offensive messages to Maraire.
Maraire was reportedly following up on a story to see if the high-end vehicles that Chivayo, who is a supporter of the Zanu PF party, had bought had been properly cleared through customs by the relevant authorities.
Chivayo reportedly felt angry about the questions and accused Maraire of writing an article with false information about his connections to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and businessman Kuda Tagwirei. He then insulted Maraire, calling her “a very stupid person.”
Chivayo also reportedly bragged about his wealth, although it is unclear where his money comes from. “I’m not as poor as you,” he allegedly said. “I will make your life miserable, I swear. This will be a no holds barred legal battle.”
Because of the seriousness of the situation, Maraire reported the incident to the Harare Central Police Station on November 23, 2023. The case was given the reference number IR 111755. Denford Muchandibaya, who is a detective, was assigned to investigate the case.
Maraire is reportedly worried that her case is not being investigated properly because it was sent to the police general headquarters under the reference number CID CCD NR 0DR 162/11/23.
The investigating officer has reportedly been making excuses for why the case is not moving forward.
Maraire said that being verbally abused by a man with connections to the country’s ruling elite has made her afraid.
“The experience has taken a toll on my enthusiasm and positivity for reporting to the extent that I am contemplating a shift to another field,” she said.
“What intensifies my apprehension is that I never authored any story as Mr. Chivayo claims, and his inclination to resort to sexual harassment and threats is utterly inappropriate and unjust.”
When contacted for comment, Chivayo reportedly said that he would make Maraire’s “life miserable” and that he would “attach her panties and her bras to her house.”
He also said that Maraire was “very stupid” and that she had written an article saying that he was an ally of Kuda Tagwirei and that he was importing vehicles duty-free.
“Then I called her and said why didn’t you go to Zimra and check, the number plates of vehicles can easily be seen on social media,” Chivayo reportedly said.
“Go to Zimra and ask them to check for you before you write an article that I’m bringing in vehicles duty free. Then you ask ‘what is your association with Kuda Tagwirei’.
‘Why are you dragging him and saying I am using his power and we are a Mnangagwa ally, how am I (president Emmerson) Mnangagwa’s ally, how am I Kuda Tagwirei’s ally. It was a story that was unfounded. Then I said it will make your life miserable with court battles.
“I told my lawyers they were about to file an application then she dropped the matter and removed the article from the website, and saw the article was no longer there and that was that.”
Sources Media, Maraire’s employer, said in a statement that Chivayo’s actions were “unwarranted” and that they constituted “a serious offence that demands a thorough investigation.”
The news organization also said that they did not believe that Maraire had written the article that Chivayo was talking about.
“The recent incident involving Mr Wicknell Chivayo issuing threats to one of our female reporters is not only unwarranted but constitutes a serious offence that demands a thorough investigation,” the statement said.
“Mr. Chivayo attempts to justify his actions as a response to what he perceives as a misrepresentation of facts in a story. However, resorting to threats and sexual harassment is an unacceptable means of addressing concerns.
“It is important to note that the story in question was neither authored by the targeted journalist nor was it fabricated; it was substantiated with facts and supported by audio evidence from reliable sources.
“Rather than resorting to intimidation, Mr Chivayo could have pursued appropriate channels, such as the VMCZ, to address his grievances.
“We staunchly refuse to allow such bullying tactics to compromise the integrity of our profession. We call upon the police to fulfil their duty and ensure that this case is thoroughly investigated and brought before a court of law.”
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed that Maraire had filed charges against Chivayo and that the investigation was still ongoing.
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