Online Reporter
Mthokozisi Ncube
A MARRIED chief in Matabeleland North chief has been caught up in a love triangle after he allegedly proposed love to Miss Rural Lupane and a woman who claimed to be his girlfriend sent threatening messages to the model.
B-Metro saw WhatsApp messages in which Chief Menyezwa was proposing love to Christine Malalazi, the reigning
Queen Lupane under the Miss Rural Zimbabwe pageant.
The news crew also listened to audios where Bandile Moyo, the chief’s alleged side-chick, told Christine to leave the chief alone and threatened her with unspecified action.
Christine said the incidents have ruined her reputation in the village as Bandile has spread false rumours that she was dating the chief.
She told B-Metro that although their conversations started on official matters, the chief later began expressing romantic interest in her, something she rejected.
WhatsApp messages seen by B-Metro show the chief professing his feelings and asking Christine to keep their relationship private.
In one of the messages, he wrote: “Please, my affair is for us; do not tell anyone. Love you.”
Other messages show the chief arranging to meet Christine and using affectionate language towards her.
Christine insisted she never entered into a relationship with the chief.
“I never dated him. I never wanted a relationship with him. He is the one who wanted a relationship with me, but I turned him down. I respected him because he is a traditional leader, but I never gave him any reason to think I wanted anything more,” she said.
She said the matter took another twist when Bandile Moyo, whom she identified as the chief’s girlfriend, contacted her accusing her of having an affair with the chief.
“I was shocked because I had done nothing wrong. She kept telling me people knew about the affair, yet there was no affair. She made me fear that these rumours would destroy my name and even reach the chief’s wife and my own family,” said Christine.
She said she now fears returning home because of the damage the rumours have caused.
“I have a relationship to protect and a family that respects me. I don’t want to be known as someone who breaks families or dates married men when that is not true. All I want is for my name to be cleared.”
WhatsApp conversations between Christine and Bandile seen by B-Metro reveal growing tension between the two women.
In one exchange, Bandile told Christine: “People are already talking in the village.”
In another message she allegedly says: “Your chats with him have already been seen. Date him.”
Christine responds by insisting she has no interest in the chief, writing: “I have my own relationship to maintain. I don’t want to lose my man over this.”
She also tells Bandile: “I think I will quit being represented by the chief for your happiness because my man will not tolerate this.”
Christine further claims Bandile warned her that the rumours had spread widely throughout Lupane, leaving her worried about her safety and reputation.
Bandile denied threatening Christine or trying to destroy her reputation.
“I never threatened Christine. We were simply discussing what was happening. She is the one who is trying to humiliate me by bringing this matter into the public. I never wanted to ruin her name,” she said.
When confronted with her voice notes, she hung up and stopped taking calls.
Contacted for comment last week, Chief Menyezwa denied wrongdoing and dismissed Christine’s claims.
“That girl has problems at home. She is fighting with her friend and now she wants to ruin my reputation. I did not do anything to her at all,” he said.
When told B-Metro had screenshots of his chats with the model, he asked the publication to hold the story so that he could come to Bulawayo and talk in person. By the time of publication, he had not arrived.
The chief said he later telephoned Christine in an effort to apologise over “the misunderstanding.”
Christine, however, said she refused to meet him.
“He called me wanting to apologise, but I cannot meet him because I don’t want to be seen with him anymore. I don’t want people to think there is something between us.”
Miss Rural Zimbabwe founder Sipho Mazibuko said he was saddened by the dispute and hoped it could be resolved without further damaging the reputation of those involved.
Chief Mtshane, the President of the Chiefs Council Senate, declined to comment specifically on the allegations involving Chief Menyezwa but said traditional leaders are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the dignity of their office.
