UK-based businesswoman Olinda Chapel appeared before a Harare court on Wednesday facing a charge of cyberbullying linked to a Facebook live video, the court heard. Chapel is accused of bullying...
UK-based businesswoman Olinda Chapel appeared before a Harare court on Wednesday facing a charge of cyberbullying linked to a Facebook live video, the court heard.
Chapel is accused of bullying Dyonne Tafirenyika, the ex-wife of her lover, Desmond “Stunner” Chideme. The allegations relate to content shared during a Facebook live broadcast.
She appeared before Harare magistrate Ms Ruth Moyo and was not asked to plead to the charge. The court granted her bail in the amount of US$100.
Advertisement
As part of her bail conditions, Chapel was ordered not to interfere with witnesses in the case. She was also instructed to surrender her passport to the authorities.
The court further ordered her to report once every two weeks at Borrowdale Police Station. These conditions will remain in place while the case is pending.
Chapel is expected to return to court on January 16, 2026, for further proceedings.
According to the state, the alleged offence took place on December 17. Prosecutors told the court that Chapel unlawfully and intentionally generated and shared a Facebook live video in which she shouted at Tafirenyika and called her a prostitute.
The court heard that Chapel allegedly threatened to deal with Tafirenyika and posted the video on social media, where it was accessible to the public. The state alleges the video was shared with the intention to intimidate, harass, threaten, bully, or cause emotional distress, as well as to degrade, humiliate, or demean Tafirenyika.
Update: charges withdrawn
The case changed shortly after the bail hearing. On 8 January 2026, the State withdrew the cyberbullying charge before plea when Chapel appeared again before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo. The withdrawal meant prosecutors were no longer pursuing that charge at the time; Chapel had not been asked to enter a plea.
The Herald's follow-up court report said prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe informed the court of the decision. This development superseded the return date and bail conditions described in the original 31 December report.
The initial bail decision was a procedural step and was not a finding of guilt. The allegations in the original report were claims presented by the prosecution before the charge was withdrawn.
