A Harare woman, Tatenda Ndaradzi, has been granted a protection order against her former boyfriend, Tinotenda Ronjedzai, after he allegedly threatened to share her nude photos with her workmates.
The case, heard at the Harare Civil Court, has exposed a disturbing pattern of harassment and threats that left Tatenda fearing for her reputation and job security.
Magistrate Meenal Naratom ruled in Tatenda’s favour, issuing a protection order that prohibits Tinotenda from threatening or harassing her. Any further threats, including sharing her intimate photos, will now be considered illegal.
A Torrent of Threats
Tatenda told the court that Tinotenda had been sending her threatening messages, including claims that he would run her over with his car.
“I want him to stop harassing and stalking me. He is in a habit of sending threatening messages, even claiming that he is going to run me over with his car,” she said.
The harassment extended to her family, with Tinotenda allegedly sending disturbing messages to her parents. “Harassing and threatening messages are sent to my parents, disturbing their peace,” Tatenda revealed.
The most alarming threat, however, was Tinotenda’s promise to leak her nude photos to their work group. “He is threatening to send my nude pictures to our work group, just to humiliate me,” she said.
Fear of Losing Her Job
Tatenda expressed frustration and anger over Tinotenda’s attempts to sabotage her career. “He wants me to lose my job, which is not fair. We broke up, and he should respect that and let me be who I am,” she added.
She pleaded with the court for protection, saying, “I am pleading with the court to protect me with a court order.”
Tinotenda’s Response
Tinotenda did not deny the allegations during the court proceedings. He promised to respect the protection order and stop threatening Tatenda. He also vowed to cease harassing her parents.
While his promises may offer some relief, the case highlights the dangers of revenge porn and the emotional toll it takes on victims.
A Victory for Tatenda
The protection order granted by Magistrate Naratom is a significant step in ensuring Tatenda’s safety and peace of mind. However, the case also underscores the need for greater awareness and stronger measures to combat digital harassment and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.