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Fidelis Munyoro Chief Court Reporter
Pritchard Zimondi, who is accused of fatally stabbing his lover in Chitungwiza two years ago, has been accused of being a bad witness by the prosecution.Zimondi allegedly killed Monalisa Chinomona and prosecutor Mr Editor Mavuto on Monday filed a motion for his conviction.
“The only inference which one can deduce is that accused person was not honest,” said Mr Mavuto.
“He was not a credible witness. This is the reason why his testimony was riddled with a lot of inconsistencies.”
Mr Mavuto said Zimondi gave conflicting statements on how he came into possession of Chinomona’s underwear, which was presented during trial as exhibits.
“It is also a proven fact that the keys which were recovered from the accused upon his arrest belonged to the Chinomona family.”
He said during the bail hearing, Zimondi told the court that he bought the underwear in Harare as gifts for Chinomona.
But in a supplementary bail statement, Zimondi said he bought the items in Gweru, before again changing his statement during trial to claim the underwear came from his aunt who wanted to sell similar clothing to Chinomona.
Mr Mavuto said State witnesses gave straightforward evidence.
Zimondi’s lawyer Mr Norman Mugiya is expected to make closing submissions today as he seeks his client’s acquittal.
When the trial opened last year, Zimondi entered a plea of not guilty saying Chinomona’s ex-lover —whom he only identified as Vitalis — had killed the woman.
Zimondi said his relationship with Chinomona was solid and they were planning on getting married.
Allegations against Zimondi relate to April 2012 when he allegedly had a misunderstanding with Chinomona.
It is alleged Zimondi entered her house unnoticed and armed himself with a kitchen knife.
He allegedly went to where Chinomona was sleeping and stabbed her 15 times on the left breast.
The State says he left the knife stuck in her chest, but was arrested shortly afterwards in Harare as he tried to make his way to Gweru.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter