Man who boasts he is related to Chiwenga skips murder charge 10 years on

A businessman who allegedly stabbed a love rival to death with a screw driver in Chitungwiza almost 10 years ago is still walking free and now living in South Africa while boasting that he is related to Zimbabwe army general Constantine Chiwenga.

Nehanda Radio understands Akim Pondani (pictured) used to operate Mazvita Butchery at Makoni Shopping Centre in Chitungwiza.

Details from the case are that 10 years ago Pondani was drinking beer with a prostitute and stood up to go to the toilet. It’s alleged that when he came back the woman was talking to another man. This infuriated Pondani who in a scuffle stabbed the man with a screw driver. The victim died on the spot.

A total of four people were charged with the murder including one of Pondani’s employees known as Ignatius. The other three included Chikomo (first name unknown) and another called Tawanda (surname unknown). It was however Pondani who allegedly stabbed the victim with a screwdriver.

Pondani somehow got bail under unclear circumstances. When he was supposed to attend to trial he skipped the border and went to South Africa. His wife remained in Zimbabwe.

Despite living in South Africa sources have told Nehanda Radio that Pondani goes back to Zimbabwe on holiday and regularly boasts to his friends that he is related to army general Chiwenga and nothing will ever happen to him.

Nehanda Radio tracked down Pondani in South African and sought his comment on the matter.

“I don’t know about that, I have no comment,” he said. Asked whether he did not know about the incident or had no comment, Pondani hung up the phone.

We also spoke to his wife in Harare (name withheld) and she told us she last saw Pondani 6 years ago but confirmed he was now living in South Africa.

“We fell out because of his arrogant attitude and I am looking after our son by myself and sending him to school on my own without his help.”

She poured water on Pondani’s claims that he was related to Chiwenga, telling Nehanda Radio, he (Pondani) is originally from Zambia.

“Unless they are related in other ways, I seriously doubt that. The problem is he likes to brag too much,” she said. During the interview the ex-wife confirmed the murder charges against Pondani and said she did not know how the matter was concluded.