A 50-year-old Zimbabwean man, Louden Chagona, has pleaded guilty to attempted murder in a Liverpool court. He admitted to striking his wife, Abigail Chinorwadza, with a saucepan and pouring boiling water over her during an argument at their home. The incident occurred on May 17, and Chagona had previously denied the charges. His change of plea came at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday, ahead of his scheduled trial.
According to court reports, Chagona hit Chinorwadza eight times over the head with a saucepan before pouring boiling water over her as she lay injured on the kitchen floor. The victim suffered serious head injuries and burns to her arm. Merseyside Police were called to the scene, and paramedics took Chinorwadza to hospital, where her condition was initially described as critical but stable. She was later discharged from inpatient care.
Judge Stuart Driver KC warned Chagona that he faces a lengthy prison term when he is sentenced on November 13. The judge told Chagona that life imprisonment and an extended sentence would have to be considered. Chagona was remanded in custody and will appear via video for his sentencing. His barrister, John Rowan, had requested that he be rearraigned, leading to the guilty plea.
The incident is part of a disturbing history of domestic violence involving some Zimbabwean families living in Britain. In 2015, Shonhiwa Gibson Mazikana was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 27 years for murdering his estranged wife, nurse Emily Munemo, at her home in Hillingdon, west London. More recently, Moven Kajese, a Zimbabwean national, was jailed for 16 years for attempting to murder his former partner in Greater Manchester.
Chagona and Chinorwadza are both Zimbabwean nationals. According to reports, Chagona arrived in Britain from Zimbabwe with the couple’s young daughter approximately three weeks before the assault, while his wife had already been living in the UK for several years. The attack followed an argument during which a tuna sandwich was reportedly thrown at Chagona.
The case has also drawn attention to other instances of domestic violence and murder involving Zimbabwean nationals in the UK. Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, a Zimbabwean man, is wanted in Britain to face three murder charges related to the deaths of his wife, Nothabo Zandile Khumalo, and her two daughters in Great Denham, Bedfordshire. Tshuma remains in South African custody while extradition proceedings continue.
The Zimbabwean community in the UK has been urged to confront domestic abuse, coercive control, jealousy, and threats before they escalate into life-threatening violence. Support services are available for victims of domestic abuse, including the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 and the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327. Chagona is set to receive a substantial sentence for his actions.
Key points
- - Louden Chagona, a 50-year-old Zimbabwean man, pleaded guilty to attempted murder in a Liverpool court. - He admitted to striking his wife with a saucepan and pouring boiling water over her during an argument. - Chagona faces a lengthy prison term, with life imprisonment and an extended sentence being considered.
