Socialite Sonja Louise Madzikanda and her mother, Tabitha Madzikanda, are expected in court this Thursday for bail ruling after appearing in court on charges linked to cyber harassment and online bullying.

The allegations stem from a video said to depict businessman Wicknell Chivayo in a meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa before the two were officially seen together during Ramaphosa’s visit to Zimbabwe on May 3.

According to prosecutors, the footage and related images were created using artificial intelligence technology. Authorities argue the material falsely suggested Ramaphosa had prior dealings with Chivayo, potentially contradicting statements made by presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, who previously said the South African leader had not met Chivayo before President Emmerson Mnangagwa introduced them during a helicopter trip to Pricabe Farm in Kwekwe.

Tabitha Madzikanda, a senior executive at FBC Bank, appeared alongside her daughter before Harare magistrate Nyaradzo Manokore on Wednesday.

Sonja, arrested on Monday, spent a third night in detention, while her mother, who was taken into custody on Tuesday, spent her second night behind bars.

Court papers allege that during Sonja’s marriage to Chivayo, which lasted from 2019 until divorce proceedings began last year, she unlawfully accessed his mobile phone and copied private photos and videos. Prosecutors claim she later shared the material with her mother and that the two combined it with AI-generated content in a coordinated social media campaign.

The prosecution says the alleged actions caused him emotional suffering and public humiliation.

The two women are facing charges under Section 164B of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, which deals with cyber-bullying and harassment.