admin
George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
Former Masvingo Province Minister of State Kudakwashe Bhasikiti has been arrested for rape involving a 12-year-old girl at an orphanage that he operated in Mwenezi.
Bhasikiti (60), who served as Minister of State from 2013 until his expulsion from Government and Zanu PF in December 2014, appeared before Mwenezi magistrate, Ms Faina Makumbe, facing rape charges.
Bhasikiti was not asked to plead when he appeared in court and was remanded in custody to December 29.
Ms Makumbe advised Bhasikiti to apply for bail at the High Court.
The former Mwenezi East legislator would be transferred to Chiredzi Remand Prison as his case would now be heard at the Chiredzi Regional Court.
Appearing for the State, prosecutor Mr Hardlife Machando told the court that sometime in 2019, Bhasikiti went into a room at the orphanage and allegedly approached the complainant and gagged her mouth with one of his hands.
He then allegedly raped her once and threatened unspecified action if she told anyone.
The matter was allegedly swept under the carpet and only came to light after police received a tip-off sometime this year.
Investigations led to Bhasikiti’s arrest by police from Mwenezi Police Station.
Online Reporter