Humiliated councillor threatens journalist

The Makoni Rural District Ward 19 councilor, Steven Chikono Makoni, who is at the centre of accusations of deliberately infecting his firebrand girlfriend with HIV, has turned his wrath on a journalist who wrote the story, threatening him with death.

The journalist’s apparent offence was reporting on recent civil court proceedings, in which Chikono Makoni was seeking a protection order against Angeline Kwenda —his alleged live-in girlfriend for the past 14 years, arguing that she was disrespectful as she assaults him at public meetings and church as well as vandalise his household property.

Kwenda opposed the application, accusing Chikono Makoni of being dishonest and deliberately infecting her with HIV “during the 14 years they lived as wife and husband”.

Kwenda accused Chikono Makoni of abusing the judiciary to dump her after messing up his life so that he could marry another girlfriend who stays in the St Faith’s area.

The publication of Kwenda’s version irked Chikono Makoni, prompting him to make a telephone call on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at 7.14pm, using the number +263 712 395 215, threatening to deal with the reporter.

He also demanded a retraction of the story, failure of which will prompt him to commit suicide and have his body dumped at the reporter’s house. The reporter recorded the scary chat, which lasted for one minute and 21 seconds.

He first called instructing the reporter to call him back. Moments later he called making threats.

“Waramba kufonaka? Inini ndikafa body yangu iri kuuya kumba kwako. Ndizvo zvandati uzive izvozvo, uzvizive kuti my parents auya, ndavaudza izvozvo. Ndasiya ndanyora. (You have refused to call me back? If I die, my body will be dumped at your door step. This is what I wanted you to know. I have written the suicide note notifying my parents about this,” said Makoni.

Makoni’s quest for peace order ended up with his mistress, Kwenda, taking a dig at his health.

The drama unfolded in a packed Court B at Rusape Magistrates’ Court. Ms Patience Ururu-Madondo presided over the matter. Clr Chikono’s tirade continued: “Urikudya mari dzeropa. Correct that paper (sic) this week, kana kuti pane zviri kuitika. Pane rufu chairwo apa. Ndinozviuraya kana kuti I will find something to do to you. But vabereki vangu ndavaudza, vanoziva kuti vachaisepi body yacho.”

When the reporter advised him that he was merely doing his job, Chikono Makoni further fumed: “Ehe, kundi . . . ndati correct that paper (sic) this week. If not corrected (sic), ukasaricorrecta hausi kuzomboriita basa iroro futi. Uri kutamba nemunhu asikatoiti, ini handitoiti. I am a different person all together, I am a different person. I have sons in South Africa, they are coming in Zimbabwe for you, for you”.

The drama started when Kwenda was granted the nod to unpack issues underlying the assault for the court to arrive at a fair judgment.

She took aim at him henceforth.

“This man is a sworn liar. We started dating in 2003 and for 14 years we have been living like husband and wife. During our stay he never disclosed to me that he was taking some ARVs. Did you tell me kuti uri pachirongwa (Antiretroviral therapy)? I realised it when it was too late,” argued Angeline.

Clr Chikono Makoni responded in denial: “I do not know what she is saying. No, I did not, I never took ARVs”.

The woman hit back at him again.

“Imi baba imi, are you not taking ARVs? Can you tell this court why you have them at home? Munoadii? Munoanwirei?” she asked.

Clr Chikono Makoni became evasive, pleading with Ms Ururu-Madondo to gag the respondent from raising issues pertaining to his health. Manica Post