By A Correspondent | ZimEye | In a recent and powerful public statement, forensic scientist and TV whistleblower Shepherd Yuda raised serious concerns about Vice President Constantino Chiwenga’s ongoing actions, particularly the continued blocking of Marry Chiwenga, his estranged wife, from seeing their children. Yuda’s sharp remarks question the moral standing of the situation, bringing attention to the psychological and emotional toll it could have on the children.
In his mixed Shona and English commentary, Yuda pointedly asked, “Chimai ichi chakambozvarawo here?”—roughly translating to, “Has this woman ever given birth? Does she know the pain of giving birth?” His words are a direct critique of the current circumstances surrounding Chiwenga’s new wife, who is now parenting Marry’s children.
Yuda’s heartfelt concern over the long-term impact of this ongoing separation is palpable. “One day is one day, the kids will demand their mom, believe me,” Yuda says, warning that such actions will not go without consequence. The children, he emphasizes, will eventually ask questions and want answers from both their father and society at large. The damage, Yuda implies, is already unfolding in real-time, as Marry Chiwenga, caught in a storm of personal, legal, and health struggles, finds her situation broadcast across the internet. “Imagine the mom is all over the internet cut in pieces, and generations will see them,” Yuda laments, indicating that these actions are not just for the present but will ripple across time and affect future generations.
Marry Chiwenga has now entered her fourth year without her children and without her passport, a key item she needs to travel for urgent medical attention. Despite court orders and appeals, the situation remains unresolved, highlighting the larger systemic issues at play in Zimbabwe’s legal and political frameworks.
This controversy has been brewing for years, with notable moments of public confrontation. In one instance, on December 12, 2020, Chiwenga was confronted by Simba Chikanza, via phone. The phone call, which turned tense, focused on the deprivation of Marry’s passport, an action that has prevented her from seeking necessary medical care. Chikanza’s sharp questioning was met with defensive and dismissive responses from Chiwenga, who eventually shut down the conversation.
The confrontation further underscores the gravity of the issue—Marry’s well-being is at stake, and yet, the power dynamics at play keep her isolated from both her children and the medical care she urgently requires. Chikanza highlighted how these actions not only reflect poorly on Chiwenga but also damage the nation’s image. “Can you not see that it is destroying our image as Zimbabwe?” he asked, pressing the VP on the implications of his actions, both on a personal and national level.
In his warnings, Yuda echoes these sentiments, asking the country and its leaders to reconsider their actions. As the years pass and the situation continues, the cost may not only be felt by the Chiwenga family but also by Zimbabwe as a whole. The effects of this family dispute, combined with the larger questions of human rights and ethical leadership, may leave an indelible mark on the country’s social and political landscape.
Yuda’s words serve as both a warning and a call to action for Zimbabweans to reflect on the values they uphold.
VP CONSTANTINO CHIWENGA CONFRONTED ON 12 DEC 2020SC: Is it VP can I talk to VP?
VP: Who is talking?
SC: Okay it’s Chikanza.
VP:
Chikanza?
SC: Can you hear me, VP?
VP: No, it is not VP. Who is this? Who is talking?
SC: I said it is Chikanza.
VP: Chikanza from where?
SC: From ZimEye media. I had phoned him over the issue of Marry Chiwenga, the matter relating to that she was deprived of her passport. His wife is without her passport.
VP: Where do you come in? And who are you in all this?
SC: I come in as a Newsman as a community person who is looking into issues of the law issues of ethics and issues of his own reputation as a leader of the country and a leader of Zanu PF as someone who is a senior in our community can you not see that it is destroying our image as as Zimbabwe? It is portraying us as a community that is cruel to women. Can you not see?
VP: Why don’t you go ahead and get a hold of lawyers?
SC: No, this is not lawyers’ business. It is a matter for us as Zimbabweans
VP: You are now putting me on trial when I am telling you what I am telling you.
SC: Yes, I do put you on trial because you are messing our country.
VP: No, I don’t want to talk to you anymore. It is not VP who is talking.
SC: Yes, and even you, I put you on trial.
VP: So if you don’t want to listen to me, you won’t be able to talk to him then.
SC: You can go ahead and refuse, but this word that I have released is huge. The word I have released is extremely important because you are destroying the country.
VP: How have you become the whole country, and in what way do you call yourself the country?
SC: Can you not see how you are damaging the economy?
VP: How have you suddenly become the country?
SC: I have become the country because I am a Zimbabwean and I am seeing how the economy is crashing because of your cruelty to a woman.
VP: How does the economy come into this?
SC: The economy is affected. Do you not understand what sanctity of life is? Respecting the sanctity of life. The woman is unwell. Can you not see the condition her hands are in?
VP: Nonsense! There is nothing that you know, you!
SC: The woman is unwell. Can you not see the condition her hands are in? And now you take her passport when she needs to go and receive medical attention.
VP: What did you say your name is?
SC: I gave you my name at the beginning my name is Chikanza.
VP: Chikanza, alright. There is nothing that you know.
SC: Fine, you can ignore what I’m saying but you guys should know that one of these days you’re going to answer for this and you must understand what you’re doing is a crime. You must tell him Constantino that I said what he is doing is destroying the country.
VP: Go away, go away. It’s not VP, who is talking to you? It is me.
SC: So you must tell Constantino that I myself tell him that with the powers that I have from the constitution of Zimbabwe.
VP: No. What I disputed is that how do court cases get to damage the country?
SC: This is not of the courts, it is all about human ethics. He himself Constantino is showing that he is a real human being who treats the mother of his children like this? Is there any human emotion in this?
VP: So you are you saying you are a proper human being better than Constantino?
SC: Well, in this case, I do show that I am a far much better human being; And he fails to demonstrate that he is a leader in the country.
VP: Get away, get away.
SC: Bring him here and tell him that what he’s doing he is destroying the country. And he is messing himself up as well.
VP: Go away, go away you are not different from idiots from America. You are no different from idiots from America. Go to America, you are not an idiot from Zimbabwe, you are an idiot from America.
SC: You can insult me my brother but I hope you realise that even you yourself are going to lose food to feed your own kids very soon because of the cruelty you are executing on Marry Chiwenga.
VP: As of me, I stay with a small bag, that is always equipped ready for any emergency need in the event of something terrible happening, whatever shortage may befall me.
SC: So do you think you own human life? Do you think you will live forever on earth?
VP: Say what?
SC: I asked you, bring Constantino here, and tell him I have asked him does he think he is going to live on earth forever?
VP (THE MAN HIMSELF CREAMS): Whoever is sending you go and tell him…
SC: I was not sent by anyone. I came to you directly and I asked him, does he think he’s going to be vice president forever? How much longer does he think he is going to be on earth.
Bring Constantino here, I want to talk to him myself, and tell him Chikanza wants to talk to you; Do you know that you are destroying the country, our country Zimbabwe; you are messing the whole Chiwenga clan?
I am talking to you.
-PHONE CUT-