Top Boxer Caught Pants Down – Eduzim News

By Crime and Courts Reporter-Former world boxing champion Charles Manyuchi has been ordered by the High Court in Masvingo to pay US$18,000 in damages to Tapiwa Munyaka, whose wife, Chengeto Viola Munyaka, was impregnated by the boxer during an adulterous affair.

The ruling, issued by Justice Zisengwe, came in the form of a default judgment on Tuesday after Manyuchi failed to respond to legal demands. 

This marks the highest award for adultery damages ever granted by the High Court in Masvingo.

The affair came to light in late 2021 when Munyaka, a regional manager at a microfinance bank, discovered explicit messages and images on his wife’s phone. 

The images documented her extramarital relationship with Manyuchi, which allegedly began when the couple joined his gym earlier that year.

Court documents reveal that Chengeto was a regular at Manyuchi’s gym, housed at the Flamboyant Regency Hotel in Masvingo, where she trained under the boxer’s supervision. 

Ironically, Tapiwa Munyaka had initially supported his wife’s gym activities, even accompanying her to training sessions and allowing her to be featured in promotional materials for Manyuchi’s boxing matches.

Chengeto reportedly became involved in promotional tours for Manyuchi’s fights, including celebratory trips to destinations like Kariba. 

However, the relationship between the boxer and Chengeto escalated into a full-blown affair, leading to her pregnancy and subsequent abortion.

Munyaka’s legal team, led by Charles Ndlovu of Ndlovu and Hwacha Legal Practitioners, argued that Manyuchi’s actions severely damaged his client’s self-esteem, reputation, and health. 

Munyaka alleged that the boxer’s reckless behavior exposed him to the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, as Manyuchi and Chengeto did not use protection.

In his application, Munyaka expressed his devastation, stating:

“The defendant’s reckless conduct exposed me to the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. The fact that he impregnated my wife is clear evidence that he was not having safe sex with her. The pregnancy exposed me to the danger of raising children sired by third parties. My self-esteem is now low. I am seriously hurt by the defendant’s conduct.”

Munyaka sought US$50,000 in damages, broken down into US$30,000 for loss of consortium (the companionship, affection, and support diminished by the affair) and US$20,000 for contumelia (insulting and humiliating treatment). The court ultimately awarded US$8,000 for consortium and US$10,000 for contumelia.

The seven-year marriage between Munyaka and Chengeto, which began with the payment of lobola in 2015 and was formalized in 2019, has now irreparably broken down. 

The couple shares two children.

Munyaka further alleged that Manyuchi had recorded intimate moments with Chengeto and that the affair became widely known, causing humiliation within his social and professional circles. 

Despite being served with a letter of demand in November 2022, Manyuchi did not respond or offer an apology, leading to the court case.

Manyuchi, once celebrated as a global boxing icon, is a former champion of multiple titles, including the World Boxing Federation (WBF), Global Boxing Union (GBU), World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver welterweight, and World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA).

This scandal has marked his fall from grace, which has cast a shadow over his illustrious career. Neither Manyuchi nor his representatives have publicly commented on the case or the judgment.

The High Court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the legal and reputational consequences of marital infidelity, even for individuals in the public eye.

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