adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A RETIRED soldier who was accused of raping a juvenile only to be acquitted by the courts after regional magistrate Mrs Esther Muremba dismissed the case for lack of evidence in 2012, has since filed a $10 000 lawsuit against the girl’s family for defamation. Cuthbert Chipwanya (45) of Green Hills Farm in Masvingo is demanding the money from Susan Mukewa as damages for being framed.
Mukewa, reported the matter leading to Chipwanya’s arrest before he was released on $50 bail. Magistrate Ms Lyn-Mary Manyika, who presided over the case at Masvingo Civil Court, on Tuesday heard that Chipwanya was forced to retire early from his job at 4.1 Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Masvingo because of the rape allegations.
Chipwanya said he went through traumatic experiences as workmates took him as a rapist and also lost dignity in his family and society at large.
“I had a torrid time both at work and community as everyone called me names because of the allegations. This woman wanted to tarnish my image because I had advised her against ill-treating the minor in question. I therefore demand $10 000 from her as damages for framing me and tarnishing my image in society,” said Chipwanya.
The court heard that Chipwanya was arrested in 2012 on allegations of raping a 13-year-old mentally challenged girl but the matter was thrown out by then regional magistrate Mrs Muremba, who is now a High Court judge.
Ms Manyika deferred the matter to 26 March.
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