A British citizen of Zimbabwean descent is under fire for posting different footage on social media platforms containing false and defamatory statements about senior Zimbabwean officials.
Kerina Mujati, who is based in the UK, has allegedly published information including terrorism, menacing communications, harassment, and defamation.
As a result of the conduct, Citizens Against Corruption, representative Gratitude Sithole, wrote a letter to the British High Commissioner in Harare.
Sithole raised complaints and a request for a criminal investigation on the alleged
defamation, threats, public disorder and terrorism-related communications.
The letter date September 21 reads:
“Dear British High Commissioner, on behalf of Citizens Against Corruption, I write to formally raise a complaint regarding the conduct of Kerina Mujati, a British citizen of Zimbabwean descent.
“We submit this complaint to the British High Commission in Zimbabwe because Mujati’s actions are being carried out from the UK or through UK-based infrastructure, while targeting Zimbabwean government officials.
“Given the extraterritorial reach of UK law in cases of terrorism, menacing communications, harassment, and defamation, we request that the High Commission exercise its diplomatic influence and assist in coordinating urgent action with UK authorities to ensure Mujati’s
conduct is investigated and appropriate measures are taken.”
Sithole further said the interventions are critical because:
“Access and jurisdiction – The High Commission can liaise directly with the relevant UK
authorities (CPS, Metropolitan Police Counter-Terrorism Command) to ensure the case receives
urgent attention.
“Evidence preservation – Assistance from the High Commission can facilitate formal requests
to secure digital evidence across multiple platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp) to
prevent destruction or deletion.
“Cross-border security concerns –Mujati’s publications threaten the security of a foreign state while originating from the UK, creating an obligation for UK authorities to act.
“Diplomatic leverage – Your office can ensure that this complaint is escalated to the correct departments and that cooperation occurs promptly between UK authorities and relevant
investigative bodies.
“Parties & Jurisdiction,” she said.
She stated that Mujati has published a series of videos and social media posts, including on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube (notably, containing false, defamatory, menacing, and incendiary statements alleging a plot to harm the Vice-President of Zimbabwe, among other claims.
“She is not a journalist and does not possess the legal protections afforded to members of the press; she cannot verify the reports she receives.
“Her publications are unsubstantiated, deliberately inflammatory, and widely disseminated, creating alarm, inciting discord, and potentially facilitating violence.
“Given that Mujati is a British citizen and her communications originate from or pass through the United Kingdom, the UK has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute her conduct.
“UK law provides extraterritorial reach concerning terrorism and harmful communications.”
Sithole further said, the factual allegations are that the accused posted videos on YouTube alleging a plot to harm the Vice-President of Zimbabwe.
“Made multiple posts on Facebook and Twitter containing false and defamatory statements
about senior Zimbabwean officials.
“Broadcast inflammatory and menacing content that poses a real risk of public disorder, retaliatory acts, or threats to state security.
“These actions demonstrate a pattern of malicious, negligent, and willful dissemination of
subversive statements, using UK-based infrastructure to reach a wide audience.”
According to her submissions, the legal Basis under UK Law The conduct described may constitute offences under the following UK statutes.
“a) Terrorism Act 2006, Section 1 – Encouragement of terrorism.
“b) Terrorism Act 2000 – Definition of terrorism and preparatory acts; extraterritorial application. c) Malicious Communications Act 1988, Section 1 – Sending grossly offensive, menacing, or indecent electronic communications.
“d) Communications Act 2003, Section 127 – Sending grossly offensive or menacing messages via public electronic communications networks.
“e) Protection from Harassment Act 1997 – Repeated conduct causing alarm or distress.
“f) Defamation / Libel law – Publishing false statements injuring reputation, particularly of public Officials,” read the letter.
The letter also revealed that Mujati’s publications go beyond political commentary, explicitly alleging a plot to harm a high-ranking official.
“Her conduct parallels the Chinyanga case and may engage both terrorism and communications law.
“Even in absence of direct calls to violence, her posts are menacing, inflammatory, and widely disseminated, meeting thresholds for prosecution.
“6. Requested Action We respectfully request that the High Commission:
“Use its diplomatic influence to ensure UK authorities investigate Ms Mujati immediately.
“Facilitate preservation of all evidence, including YouTube videos, social media posts, timestamps, metadata, IP addresses, device information, and logs of sharing/reposting.
“3. Support assessment of whether her conduct constitutes: Encouragement of terrorism (Terrorism Act 2006 s1) Terrorism offences under the Terrorism Act 2000 Menacing or grossly offensive communications (Communications Act 2003 s127; Malicious Communications Act 1988) Harassment, defamation, or related offences.
“4. Where terrorism offences are established, ensure procedural steps (including extraterritorial
“Jurisdiction and CPS consent) are observed. 5. Facilitate legal advice regarding defamation law as it applies to foreign officials.”
