HARARE — Zimdancehall musician Killer T has vowed to quit alcohol after the cyberbullying charges against him were withdrawn following an affidavit submitted by Ambassador Kwame Tapiwa Muzawazi.

Killer T, born Kelvin Kusikwenyu, was arrested on Monday after allegedly sending threatening and insulting WhatsApp voice notes to Muzawazi in connection with the death of his relative, Malcolm Takudzwa Muzavazi, who was killed in a dog attack in Southerton last month.

Police confirmed the musician’s arrest.

Speaking to journalists at the Harare Magistrates’ Court, Killer T’s lawyer, Dumisani Mthombeni, said the state had accepted Muzawazi’s withdrawal affidavit, and the charges had consequently been withdrawn.

“The case has been withdrawn, the State has accepted the withdrawal affidavit, and the charges have been withdrawn, and my client is now a free man,” Mthombeni said.

The lawyer added that the experience had prompted his client to commit to stop drinking alcohol.

“He has told me that he is going to quit drinking alcohol,” Mthombeni said.

Killer T thanked Muzawazi for pardoning him and urged other young people to learn from his experience and avoid behaviour that could land them in trouble.

Mthombeni also warned against excessive alcohol consumption, saying the incident should serve as a lesson to the musician and others.

“Don’t abuse alcohol to such extremes. It can get you in trouble. He would have gone into custody or spent a long time in jail. But we are grateful for the gesture extended to him. It’s another chance that has been given to him, and I hope he makes full use of it and contributes meaningfully to all national efforts in the fight against substance abuse,” he said.

The development comes a day after Killer T issued a public apology to Muzawazi, his family and the wider public.

In the statement, the musician admitted sending the threatening and insulting voice notes on October 4 and said he had been heavily intoxicated at the time.

“I admit I have been abusing alcohol. I was heavily intoxicated at the material time, but that is not an excuse,” Killer T said.

He added that he had resolved to quit drinking and wanted to use his experience to advocate against drugs and substance abuse.

Killer T’s arrest followed the death of 39-year-old Malcolm Muzawazi, who was fatally attacked by four dogs in Southerton on September 24.

The musician reportedly became involved in the controversy after defending the owner of the dogs, prompting a complaint over the alleged messages sent to members of the Muzavazi family.