Murder victim’s relatives seal court entrance
Pritchard Zimondi, who allegedly fatally stabbed her girlfriend in Chitungwiza, used a backdoor to enter the courtroom on Wednesday after relatives of the girl sealed the entrance threatening to beat him up.
Security had to be reinforced at the Chitungwiza magistrate courts after the relatives invaded the premises. Zimondi (24) of Unit K in Chitungwiza was issued with a warrant of arrest after he delayed entering the court because of the commotion.
His lawyer Mr Norman Mugiya had to negotiate his way in through the back entrance to the courtroom and explain why his client delayed. Mr Mugiya said Zimondi’s life was in danger since the deceased’s relatives were always threatening him.
The relatives earlier indicated to the court that Zimondi was interfering with witnesses. Chitungwiza magistrate Ms Olivia Mariga was expected to conduct an inquiry into the allegations. But Mr Mugiya said the magistrates’ courts had no jurisdiction over murder cases.
He said the matter should be referred to the High Court. Ms Mariga remanded Zimondi to September 31. Allegations against Zimondi arose sometime in April when he allegedly had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend Monalisa Chinomona (19).
It is alleged that on the fateful day, he went over to Chinomona’s place where she was alone in her bedroom. Zimondi reportedly entered the house unnoticed, headed for the kitchen and armed himself with a kitchen knife. He allegedly went to where Chinomona was sleeping and stabbed her with the knife 15 times on her left breast.
After the act, Zimondi reportedly left the knife stuck on the deceased’s breast and ran away. He was later caught in Harare while trying to flee to Gweru. It is alleged that Zimondi had Chinomona’s pants and bra on him.
