Zimondi victim of circumstances: Lawyer

By Blessing Masakadza

Pritchard Zimondi, who stands accused of brutally murdering his girlfriend Monalisa Chinomona in cold blood, was just a victim of circumstances, according to his lawyer.

Norman Mugiya of Mugiya and Macharaga Law Chambers representing Zimondi said Zimondi was just in the dock because he was the only known guy in her life by the time of her death. Mugiya was responding to claims by the State’s sixth witness Primrose Mutize who was Monalisa’s close friend.

Primrose being led by law officer Editor Mavuto told the court that Monalisa had told her that she had broken up with Zimondi because he was forcing her into having sexual intercourse. She added that Monalisa told her that Pritchard had threatened to commit suicide by downing some pills because of the separation.

Primrose further claimed that Zimondi was the first person to tell her of the death of Monalisa and that he had gone into hiding. She said Pritchard confided in her that he had lied to the police that he was in Gweru and that he was not ready to face the police.

“He sent me a Whatapp message saying ‘Prim, Lisa is dead,” she said.

“He said she had stabbed herself on the throat and the left side.

“He said he was somewhere and had lied to the police that he was in Gweru.

“He later requested to see me and my boyfriend, intimating suicide.

“He said he was not ready to face the police as they would make him the prime suspect. He said my boyfriend should come to a flat near Allan Willson before he committed suicide,” she said.

During cross examination, Mugiya dismissed Primose’s sex claims saying Monalisa died carrying Pritchard’s child. He said friction came when Pritchard realised that Monalisa was double crossing him with one Vitalis.

He said on a Sunday preceding the incident, Pritchard and the said Vitalis had clashed at an area called the C junction in Chitungwiza and Vitalis threatened unspecified action.

“Tinoda kuona kuti achemuroora ndiani. Unofunga kuti wakangwara nhai.

Wakapusa, even iye akapusa stereki. I will deal with her,” allegedly said Vitalis.

Primrose however, said she was not in the know of the said Vitalis or the reported C Junction scuffle, leaving the defence counsel doubting her friendship with the late Monalisa. Primrose said it was her first time seeing Pritchard for the three years he had dated Monalisa, which the defence described as extraordinary. H Metro