From Prophecy to Police Custody: The Cost of Reckless Speech Online
By Oudney Patsika | Business Growth Consultant
What happened to Apostle Alistar Chibanda this week is not just a tabloid scandal; it is a critical case study for every content creator, pastor, and influencer in Zimbabwe.
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| The transition from "Prophetic Warning" to "Public Apology" happened in a police cell. |
One moment, he was issuing "prophetic warnings" about Doek & Slay being "diabolical." The next, he was in handcuffs, facing criminal charges for cyberbullying and defamation. And finally, we saw the inevitable climbdown: a humiliating public apology retracting every "ungodly" claim he made.
This sequence of events proves one thing: Speech has consequences. Digital ones. Legal ones. The era of hiding behind "opinion" or "religious concern" to damage brands is over.
Anatomy of a Downfall
How a "Man of Cloth" crossed the line from activism to criminality.
Chibanda posted videos and images alleging that the Doek & Slay event was a hub of immorality ("nzenza") and spiritually dangerous ("satanic hosts"). He presented unverified clips as fact to his followers.
Organizers didn't just clap back on Facebook; they went to the police. Chibanda was arrested for Transmission of False Data and Cyber Bullying. His "prophetic immunity" did not protect him from the Cyber and Data Protection Act.
From custody, the tone changed. The "prophet" issued an unreserved apology, admitting his words were "wrong, disrespectful, and completely unjustified." He acknowledged the event actually "uplifts women"—a complete 180-degree turn forced by legal accountability.
Why "Opinion" Didn't Save Him
The law does not judge intent by your religious titles. It judges impact, accuracy, and harm. Zimbabwe’s Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] treats the digital publication of false, harmful statements as criminal conduct, not just moral misconduct.
If it’s false, harmful, and published digitally, it stops being "content" and becomes evidence. Chibanda learned that asserting unverified claims as fact—even under the guise of prophecy—crosses the line into criminal defamation.
Lessons for Every Creator
Freedom of expression is not freedom from accountability. You are allowed to critique, but you are not allowed to manufacture facts that damage a reputation. Chibanda's arrest proves that even "men of God" are subject to the laws of the land.
Beyond the police cells, this conduct triggers civil liability. Brands like Doek & Slay can sue for financial damages. The consequences follow you into courtrooms and bank accounts. Likes don't pay lawyers.
Accountability Has Logged In
The Chibanda saga should be a wake-up call. Zimbabwe’s Cyber Laws are active. The more creators confuse activism with recklessness, the more we will see arrests replacing apology posts.
Create boldly... but verify ruthlessly. Speak freely... but know the law. Because the law does not care how many followers you have; it only cares who you harmed.
This is the digital era. And accountability has logged in.
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