Zimbabwean Man Arrested for Cyberbullying After Defaming Former Landlord on Social Media

Martin Mtandi, a Zimbabwean man, has been arrested for cyberbullying following a defamatory social media campaign against his former landlord, McDonald Togara. The conflict arose from a disagreement over the reimbursement of a security deposit for an apartment.

The dispute began on October 17, when Mtandi informed Togara of his intention to vacate the property at Sentosa Gardens, Mabelreign, Harare, stating that his growing family required a larger space. In his message, he expressed a desire to make the transition smooth for both parties.

However, Togara refused to return the security deposit, arguing that Mtandi had provided insufficient notice, which left him unable to find a new tenant for November. He explained that the deposit would cover the loss of rental income and potential damages, suggesting that the matter be addressed through legal channels.

Frustrated by Togara's response, Mtandi took to social media, posting damaging accusations against Togara on the Facebook page “Name & Shame Them (Zim).” He claimed that Togara inflated repair costs to retain tenant deposits and alleged that he had a history of denying refunds to departing tenants.

Togara reported the defamatory posts to the authorities, highlighting the reputational damage and harassment caused by the false claims. Despite Mtandi deleting some posts and attempting to seek forgiveness, Togara pursued legal action.

As a result, Mtandi was arrested and is now facing charges of cyberbullying and defamation, underscoring the legal repercussions of online harassment