By Panashe Karidzagundi
A Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) officer is lucky to survive after a bloody and savage attack by her 38-year-old estranged man from Chitungwiza with whom she is in the process of what now appears a bitter divorce.
Primerose Kondo, must thank her Gods for a sudden sixth sense that jolted her to jump onto the steering of her car after Tinos Chapenya, her husband whose love has gone sour, had seemingly subdued her and was repositioning himself for the “killer blow”.
But when Chapenya took his eyes off the ball in his alleged heinous attack, Kondo miraculously seized the moment to spring free into the driver’s seat she had been dislodged to drive to hospital for help.
Her whole body had been punctured by several stabs, but she lived to tell the story.
Chapenya now faces an attempted murder charge for the alleged violent encounter and on Tuesday appeared before regional magistrate Charity Maphosa who remanded him in custody.
According to Mercy Nyathi, prosecuting, Kondo, 28, employed by ZIMRA and resides at the staff Flats in Beitbridge, and Chapenya are a couple.
But good loving has gone bad and their union has hit the rocks resulting in ensuing divorce proceedings for which they are on separation.
Last Sunday, April 11, 2026, Chapenya went to Kondo’s residence while she was away in Shurugwi.
The following day, Kondo returned to Beitbridge and they met at traffic lights controlled intersection in Beitbridge where the estranged man asked for a lift to Masvingo hiking spot.
He is said to have told Kondo he intended travelling to Harare.
Kondo, civil and perhaps level headed in their current settings, agreed with Chapenya opting to sit in the back seat of her vehicle.
At the Masvingo turn-off, the situation suddenly turned violent.
Chapenya became aggressive, Nyathi told the court, questioning why Kondo would not allow him access to her residence.
Kondo allegedly responded that she needed space..
Instead Chapenya allegedly produced a daggr, in form of a kitchen knife to stab Kondo once on the shoulder, twice in the stomach, and multiple times all over the body.
During the attack, Kondo sustained further injuries to her hands in attempts to protect delicate body parts of herself.
Chapenya allegedly dragged Kondo into the back seat, where he continued the assault before eventually stopping when she pleaded with him.
Seeing the severity of the attack, Chapenya allegedly agreed to drive the injured Kondo to a local hospital.
However, along the way, Kondo’s God crept in and Chapenya reportedly stopped the vehicle to dispose of the knife used in the attack.
Seizing the opportunity, Kondo lept into the driver’s seat and drove herself to hospital, leaving Chapenya behind.
The knife used in the attack was later recovered near the medical centre garden and will be produced as evidence.
Nyathi alleged that Chapenya acted unlawfully and with intent to kill, or at least realising the real risk that his actions could result in death.
Maphosa, who earlier advised Chapenya of his rights to legal representation, was remanded in custody to April 21, 2026.
Nyathi said Kondo remains in a serious condition.