Harare, Zimbabwe – Former Zimbabwe Warriors striker Shingi Kawondera has reportedly opened up about a painful period in his life, claiming he was scammed out of a significant fortune by the late socialite and businessman Genius “Ginimbi” Kadungure.

Speaking during an interview on "The Sportlight with Yvonne Mangunda," aired on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Kawondera reflected on the loss of money earned during his extensive football career, which included playing in top leagues in Poland, Cyprus, Turkey, and South Africa.

Taking Responsibility, Naming Names

When asked directly about what happened to the substantial earnings from his playing days, Kawondera took personal responsibility, admitting that the loss was a result of him trusting the wrong individuals.

"I don’t need to blame anyone because at the end of the day, it was me who trusted the wrong people," he stated.

Ex-Warriors Star Shingi Kawondera Claims Late Ginimbi Scammed Him Out of Millions

However, he then proceeded to name the individual he alleges was responsible for a major financial loss: Genius Kadungure, widely known as Ginimbi.

Alleged Investment in Ginimbi's Gas Business

According to Kawondera's claims during the interview, he had provided the initial seed capital for Ginimbi's now-famous gas business. He stated that he was originally listed as a director of the company.

Kawondera suggested that his decision to invest in the company was influenced by his relationship with his ex-wife, Marry Mubaiwa, who was his girlfriend at the time.

Narrating his version of events, Kawondera was quoted as saying, "Pane nyaya yandogara ndichibvunzwa nevanhu, nyaya yampfanha Ginimbi. Imari yangu, hakusi kunyepa kana kuita sei. I invested in that gas company. Kuti itange yanga iri mari yangu. I was the director, but Genius zvaakaita anga ane hukama na Marry (Mubaiwa)." (There's a story people always ask me about, the story of that young man Ginimbi. It's my money, no lies or anything. I invested in that gas company. For it to start, it was my money. I was the director, but what Genius did was related to his connection with Marry (Mubaiwa)).

Claims of Forged Signatures and Protection

Kawondera's allegations escalated as he claimed that Ginimbi subsequently forged his signatures and officially took over the company, effectively cutting him out completely from his investment and directorship role.

He further alleged that Ginimbi then sought protection from powerful figures, which Kawondera claimed made it impossible for him to legally or otherwise fight back to reclaim his stake or investment.

"So akanofojera ma signature angu ndobva achinja ndokubva azviita director wecompany. Then he ran from me ndokubva aenda kuma powerful people. I couldn’t do anything," Kawondera added.

Ginimbi's Family Allegedly Knows the Truth

When the interviewer reportedly raised the sensitivity of speaking critically about someone who is deceased, Kawondera stood by his claims.

He asserted that Ginimbi did not need to be alive to defend himself because, according to Kawondera, even Ginimbi's own family members are aware of what allegedly transpired regarding the business investment.

“I don’t need him to defend. Everybody knows from their family hapana asingazvizive,” Shingi Kawondera claimed.

Kawondera's interview brings a long-speculated matter into public discourse, offering his direct account of the alleged events surrounding his business dealings with the late Ginimbi.