Blantyre Woman Charged for Calling Housemaid a ‘Witch’ in Viral Video Case
Published on February 19, 2026 at 4:30 PM by Evance Kapito
The Blantyre Magistrate’s Court has begun hearing a case involving Vanessa Chimbayo also known as Elies Johny, who is accused of defaming her domestic worker after posting a viral video on social media.
Chimbayo is alleged to have recorded and shared a video showing her in a heated verbal exchange with her housemaid, Cecilia Davison, last month. In the widely circulated clip, she reportedly captioned the video with the words “Stay Away from this Witch,” an allegation prosecutors say amounted to publicly humiliating and defaming the worker.
The case opened at the Magistrate’s Court in Blantyre on Thursday, where Chimbayo pleaded not guilty to the charge. The court has since adjourned the matter to 9 March for further hearing.
Meanwhile, Dominic Makawa, Executive Director of the Domestic and Vulnerable Workers Association, said the organization is considering joining the case as an interested party. He noted that their involvement is currently pending approval from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The case has sparked debate on social media about the treatment and protection of domestic workers in Malawi, as the court process continues.
Source: Times360Malawi
