Tabitha Madzikanda Biography
Tabitha C. Madzikanda is a Zimbabwean banking executive with experience in card services, electronic banking and business development. As of 2026, she served as Senior Manager for Business Development at FBC Holdings.
She is also the mother of Sonja Madzikanda, the former wife of Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo.
Madzikanda attracted wider public attention in May 2026 when police arrested her in a case involving allegedly AI-generated images of Chivayo and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. She faced cyberbullying and harassment charges, but the case ended before trial after Chivayo withdrew his complaint on 22 May 2026.
Tabitha Madzikanda’s Background
Madzikanda is a Zimbabwean banking executive based in Harare. Her career has covered card operations, electronic banking and business development.
She has been associated with Chisipite, Harare, where her family reportedly resides.
Who Is Tabitha Madzikanda’s Husband?
Madzikanda is married to David Madzikanda, who has worked at the University of Zimbabwe School of Commerce.
The couple are the parents of Sonja Madzikanda.
Her Daughter Sonja Madzikanda
Sonja Madzikanda married businessman Wicknell Chivayo in 2017.
The couple separated in 2024. The High Court finalised their divorce in April 2026 under a consent order that included financial and parenting arrangements.
Through the marriage, Chivayo was Tabitha Madzikanda’s son-in-law until the divorce.
Tabitha Madzikanda’s Education and Qualifications
Madzikanda holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA). She also completed a Marketing Management qualification at the university.
She later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the University of Nicosia.
In addition, Madzikanda completed a Digital Transformation certification at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, commonly known as GIBS Business School.
How Tabitha Madzikanda Built Her Banking Career
Madzikanda has spent much of her career in Zimbabwe’s banking sector.
She worked at ZB Financial Holdings as a Card Centre Manager before joining FBC Bank.
At FBC Bank, she held the positions of Card Centre Manager and Convenience Banking Manager. Her responsibilities included electronic banking channels and card centre operations.
Madzikanda later moved into business development. As of 2026, she served as Senior Manager for Business Development at FBC Holdings.
Why Was Tabitha Madzikanda Arrested?
Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department arrested Madzikanda on 18 May 2026. Her daughter, Sonja, had been arrested separately a day earlier.
Initially, reports linked Madzikanda to several allegations, including alleged fraud and the unauthorised distribution of content. Her lawyer, Rungano Mahuni, said at the time that the legal team was still seeking clarity on the exact charges.
When Madzikanda appeared in court, however, prosecutors charged her with cyberbullying and harassment.
The US$1.4 Million Children’s Trust Account Allegations
Early reports about Madzikanda’s arrest included allegations involving US$1.4 million held in a trust account for Chivayo’s children.
The trust arrangements followed Chivayo and Sonja’s divorce. In April 2026, the High Court issued a consent order linked to a US$5 million maintenance settlement.
Police alleged that Madzikanda conspired with colleagues at FBC Bank to remove Chivayo as a signatory to the children’s trust account. Investigators claimed the alleged change was intended to allow access to US$1.4 million.
According to reports, police believed the money was meant to finance a cluster housing development.
However, prosecutors did not formally charge Madzikanda with fraud during the May 2026 court proceedings.
The AI-Generated Chivayo and Ramaphosa Images
The charges that reached court concerned images allegedly created or manipulated using artificial intelligence.
Chivayo accused Madzikanda and Sonja of involvement in the circulation of images that purported to show him with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The images allegedly suggested that Chivayo had met Ramaphosa before their publicly documented encounter during the South African president’s visit to Zimbabwe on 3 May 2026.
Police reportedly seized Madzikanda’s mobile phone as part of the investigation into the origin and circulation of the disputed material.
Tabitha Madzikanda and Sonja’s Court Appearance
Madzikanda and Sonja appeared before Magistrate Nyaradzo Manokore at the Harare Magistrates Court on 20 May 2026.
Prosecutors charged them with cyberbullying and harassment under Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23].
The State alleged that the two women had used artificial intelligence to generate photographs involving Chivayo and Ramaphosa and circulated the material on social media.
The State opposed bail. As a result, the court remanded Madzikanda and Sonja in custody pending a bail hearing.
Why the Bail Hearing Was Postponed
The court initially scheduled the bail hearing for 21 May 2026.
However, Magistrate Manokore was reportedly unwell. A stand-in magistrate postponed the matter to 22 May.
Madzikanda spent three nights in custody while awaiting the bail process.
Why Wicknell Chivayo Withdrew the Charges
Before the rescheduled bail hearing on 22 May 2026, Chivayo withdrew his complaint against Madzikanda and Sonja.
Speaking outside the Rotten Row Magistrates Court, Chivayo said he had forgiven his former wife because their children had been asking for their mother. However, he maintained that he did not regret the arrests.
Chivayo continued to criticise the alleged circulation of fabricated images involving Ramaphosa. He also repeated his claims about the children’s trust funds.
The withdrawal of the complaint ended the cyberbullying and harassment case before trial. Madzikanda and Sonja were subsequently released from custody.
What Happened to the Fraud Allegations?
The reported US$1.4 million trust account allegations did not result in formal fraud charges against Madzikanda during the May 2026 proceedings.
Although police reports had linked her to an alleged attempt to access the children’s trust funds, the charges placed before the court concerned cyberbullying and harassment.
Tabitha Madzikanda’s Personal Life
Madzikanda is married to David Madzikanda and is the mother of Sonja Madzikanda
References
- Wicknell Marries, The Chronicle, published 16 July 2017. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo divorce settled, court orders US$5m maintenance, Bulawayo24 News, published 10 April 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Tabitha Madzikanda Profile, ZoomInfo. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo’s mother in law arrested over alleged fraud, cyber crimes, ZimLive, published 19 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo’s ex-mother-in-law arrested, Bulawayo24 News, published 20 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo’s ex-wife arrested over alleged cellphone theft, child access dispute, NewZimbabwe.com, published 19 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo Ex-Mother-in-Law Arrested in US$1.4m Trust Fund Fraud Case, 263Chat, published 19 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo’s ex-mother-in-law arrested for siphoning US$1.4 million from grandkids’ trust account, NewZimbabwe.com, published 20 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo withdraws charges against ex-wife and her mother after nights in custody, NewZimbabwe.com, published 22 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Wicknell Chivayo’s Ex-Wife And Mother-In-Law Arrested In Explosive Ramaphosa Video Saga, iHarare, published 20 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo’s ex-wife Sonja, mother remanded in custody over cyberbullying and harassment charges, NewZimbabwe.com, published 20 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo’s ex-wife Sonja, mother remanded in custody, Bulawayo24 News, published 20 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo’s Ex-Wife Sonja to Spend Fourth Night in Custody As Bail Hearing Is Postponed, AllAfrica, published 22 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo Drops Charges Against Ex-Wife Sonja, Mother-in-law, The Herald via AllAfrica, published 22 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
- Chivayo mocks ex mother-in-law after charges dropped, Nehanda Radio, published 22 May 2026. Accessed 2 July 2026.
