dyton mupawaenda
Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
former Zimbabwe senior women’s football coach Shadreck Mlauzi, who was facing allegations of indecently assaulting a female member of the technical team in South Africa, yesterday was acquitted on both charges, largely because the magistrate could not trust the evidence given by the complainant.
In her ruling, the presiding magistrate Mrs Ethel Chichera said the complainant was not a credible witness as she made inconsistent statements during and before trial.
The magistrate said the complainant also confirmed that she had a virtual relationship with Mlauzi. The second witness who testified denied any knowledge of the alleged assault.
“The inconsistencies in the complainant’s statements discredits her case. The State has failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused person,” she ruled.
The magistrate said there was no element of truth in the complainant’s testimony. Evidence in such cases was supposed to be treated with caution because it would be the word of the complainant versus that of the accused person.
“The complainant once said that the accused tried to grab her thighs, but she stepped back and then changed goal posts saying he touched her buttocks.
Mrs Chichera said there was a high possibility that the complainant had fabricated this case.
In his defence, Mlauzi had told the court that he never violated the complainant’s rights in any way.
“First and foremost, I can’t go to my parish priest and confess about something which I did not do. I have been in women’s football for the past 23 years and I have never violated anyone’s rights,” he said.
Mlauzi further submitted that he was born in a family of nine and more of his siblings were women, but he never violated their rights.
“I had a virtual relationship with the complainant. We used to chat freely. She used to video call me and ask for favours from me. I’m disappointed that she decided to press such charges against me,” he said.
Online Reporter