HARARE – Three women have withdrawn a tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) complaint against Evangelist Marufu, saying their decision was guided by personal principles of truth.
The case, which drew public attention after allegations of online harassment surfaced, stemmed from claims that Marufu used digital platforms to harass the women. The matter also became complicated after the accused reportedly claimed his social media accounts may have been hacked.
The complainants Rotina Mafume Musara, Alasia Mbiriri and Perseverance Muzeya confirmed that they had formally withdrawn the charges, bringing the matter to a close at police level.
Musara said she chose to withdraw the complaint after the accused denied ownership of the accounts linked to the alleged harassment.
“I now wish to withdraw the charges because the accused persons denied ownership of their accounts, which goes against my principles of trustworthiness and honesty,” she said.
Muzeya also confirmed withdrawing her complaint, saying she opted for truth after the allegations were denied.
The women are members of the Adventist Church and are not congregants of Evangelist Marufu’s church, as previously implied in some reports.
The case had been reported at ZRP Marlborough under allegations of online harassment, before the complainants later decided not to pursue the matter further.
Despite the withdrawal, human rights advocate and lawyer Nyaradzo Mashayamombe commended the women for taking action, saying their decision to come forward highlighted the growing challenge of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), particularly in religious and community spaces.
“The issue of whether the case progressed, was withdrawn, or whether someone claimed their account had been hacked is beside the point,” she said. “The point is that the women stood against harassment by a male church member, reflecting broader patriarchal dynamics that often silence women.”
Adv. Nyari Mashayamombe added that the matter underscored the need for stronger accountability mechanisms for online abuse, noting that the alleged conduct, if proven to have originated from Marufu’s accounts, would raise serious concerns about respect and dignity within faith communities. Marufu has denied the allegations, reportedly claiming his Facebook account was hacked.
The case has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with some users criticising what they describe as the “backwardness” of the Adventist Church, arguing that there was nothing wrong with what the women did, while the church has remained firm in its position.
However, in the context of the growing rise of tech-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), the women are being praised by some for standing up for themselves and speaking out against alleged online abuse.
What remains to be seen is the official position of the SDA Church when women are subjected to public online attacks. Do the leadership condone this kind of behaviour against innocent women?
Add comment