CYBERBULLYING charges against UK-based socialite and businesswoman Olinda Chapel were on Wednesday withdrawn before plea after the State opted not to proceed with the matter.
Chapel appeared before Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo, where prosecutor Lawrence Gangarahwe advised the court that the State was formally dropping the charges. She was not asked to plead.
The case stemmed from a Facebook Live broadcast in which Chapel was accused of launching a public attack on Dyonne Tafirenyika and drawing Tafirenyika’s child into the dispute on social media. She had previously been released on US$100 bail pending routine remand.
Shortly after her initial court appearance, Chapel issued a written statement and later went live on social media to apologise, conceding that her conduct was wrong and taking what she described as “full accountability” for her actions.
In the apology, Chapel admitted to using demeaning and insulting language, speaking about Tafirenyika in a degrading manner and circulating information she acknowledged was false and damaging to her character and reputation.
She singled out the involvement of Tafirenyika’s child as the most serious aspect of her actions, admitting she had crossed a line and attempted to interfere with a parent-child relationship.
Chapel also acknowledged posting content involving Tafirenyika without consent, saying the move violated her privacy and unnecessarily escalated a private issue into the public domain.
“There is no excuse for my behaviour,” Chapel said, adding that she was ashamed and regretted the emotional distress caused to Tafirenyika, her child and family.
She further apologised to Kelsea Tafirenyika, admitting she mentioned her by name and used language she described as offensive and unacceptable.
Chapel dismissed claims that the fallout was linked to a romantic dispute, insisting the matter “was never about a man.”
Before the charges were withdrawn, Chapel had been ordered to surrender her passport, refrain from interfering with State witnesses and report fortnightly at Borrowdale Police Station.
