A heated online feud has erupted between Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and political figure Comfort Dondo, with both parties trading explosive allegations. At the center of the controversy is Chin’ono’s claim that Dondo’s attacks on him and fellow activist Cleo Mazwangendaba stem from romantic rejection.¹
Chin’ono took to social media to accuse Dondo of orchestrating a smear campaign, which he believes is driven by jealousy. He denied allegations of being romantically involved with Mazwangendaba, calling her a fellow Zimbabwean fighting for change. Chin’ono also claimed that Dondo had visited his home, and he had surveillance footage to prove her alleged obsession.
The situation escalated when Chin’ono threatened to release video evidence from his home security cameras, which he claims will prove that Dondo’s attacks are personal rather than political. He also accused Dondo of having ties to Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU-PF, and vowed to take legal action if the harassment continued.
Dondo fired back with her own set of allegations, denying Chin’ono’s claims of romantic rejection and instead accusing him of deceit, manipulation, and abuse. She made personal accusations against Chin’ono, claiming he had mistreated women in his life and even alleging that he had raped and drugged someone.
The feud has sparked a heated debate on social media, with Zimbabweans divided over who to believe. Some have backed Chin’ono’s claims, while others have questioned Dondo’s motives. The situation remains unresolved, with both parties refusing to back down.
