Mbare – In a surprising turn of events that has left many in Mbare speechless, former boxing champion Arifonso “Mosquito” Zvenyika has publicly forgiven his wife, Jesman Mutokonya, 40, for an adulterous affair with a man identified as Leonard Jamanda.
Mutokonya, speaking openly about the incident, expressed deep remorse. “What was published in H-Metro was true, I feel sorry for what I did and will not do it again,” she confessed.
“I want to believe that I was used by the Devil in falling for the temptation,” she added.
The shame and fear of confrontation led her to seek refuge at her sister’s house, leaving her children behind.
“I was afraid of Arifonso, that is why I packed and fled the house leaving my children behind. “I could not face my parents too because of this evil thing,” she said.
The unexpected reconciliation began with a humbling gesture from Zvenyika.
“My husband shocked me by visiting my parents, begging me to return home saying he had forgiven me,” Mutokonya recounted.
Initially fearing a trap, she was astonished by his genuine remorse and forgiveness.
“At first I thought he was trying to lure me and kill me upon returning but it was not so. He collapsed upon my arrival, we hired a vehicle to take him to hospital but he was quick to recover and refused to be driven to hospital. He left his shoes in that hired vehicle, led me into the house, poured his heart and assured me that he had truly forgiven me. I felt humbled and we have agreed to find God to sustain our family and marriage,” she explained.
The couple’s reunion, marked by a kiss and cake exchange reminiscent of their 2014 wedding, has been witnessed by Mbare residents, many of whom expressed disbelief at Zvenyika’s decision. A number of neighbours, particularly men, openly criticised his choice to forgive Mutokonya.
However, the couple is determined to move forward, planning a joint birthday and reunion celebration for Zvenyika’s 49th birthday, which fell on November 25th.
“Arifonso turned 49 on November 25 but we failed to celebrate it because of my mistake. We set to celebrate his birthday as well as celebrate our reunion because it’s so amazing. May I find favour before God and be cleansed,” Mutokonya said.
Zvenyika, in an interview with H-Metro, revealed the profound spiritual experience that led him to forgive his wife.
“For a normal person, this is strange but people do not know why I came to this decision,” he explained.
The emotional toll of the situation had a significant impact on his health. “I got stress and my BP shot up over this,” he admitted.
His decision, he explained, stemmed from a profound spiritual awakening. “It was like a video of myself on how I cheated and spent the money I got from my boxing career with several women. God’s spirit descended upon me and some Bible verses were also passed to me through a vision and I came back to my senses,” he revealed.
He cited a specific Biblical passage about a woman caught in adultery, recalling Jesus’s words: “Akati kana pasina akambotadza ndiye ngaatange kupotsera ibwe vamwe vozopedzisa, pakashaikwa akatanga.” “I am a sinner and who am I to judge another person?” he questioned, highlighting his own past infidelities as a reason for his compassion.
“I cheated several times, I saw the need to forgive my wife, to restore my affection and love to her as well as considering the future of my children. I need to turn to God, who has genuine love, for strength and peace with my wife,” he explained.
Zvenyika acknowledged the scepticism surrounding his decision, stating, “I am aware that several men cannot believe this but, with God, everything is possible. Vangani varume vasirikuziva zvirikuitwa nemadzimai avo? Inyasha kuti Mwari vakuratidze.”
He further explained his decision through a spiritual lens, viewing the affair as a spiritual battle.
“I fought several men with my hands, I was fighting some spirits and I married a beautiful wife, enjoyed good food on my table. Evil men salivate for my beautiful wife and this is not the first time. My late wife was also beautiful and she was also seduced. It is a spirit fighting me and I need Jesus Christ to fight this spiritual war. This does not need boxing gloves but spiritual gloves and I tell you that this time, whoever seduces my wife will meet God’s anger,” he declared.
He also highlighted the importance of his vows, stating, “I made some vows before a religious minister, before a magistrate in 2014 with my wife and we have been blessed with three children and I have to honour those vows. In good and in bad times, I will never leave her till death separates us. Evil men who are hunting married women will face their consequences, hazvivhairise kuzivikanwa nechinzenza.”
Finally, Zvenyika addressed the public fallout, apologising to his in-laws for the public exposure of the affair and emphasizing his commitment to his family and his role as a mentor to young men.
“As a former boxer and coach, I have some young men I am training, I have some young couples who seek advice from me. Discipline is part of our moto in boxing and we have to be principled and let the barking dogs hunting our beautiful wives lie. I didn’t want to use my boxing to attack, ndavemunhu mukuru, handichafunga sepwere,” he concluded.
