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FORMER Alpha Media Holdings group sports editor Simba Rushwaya (39), who was accused of raping his 16-year-old housemaid, has been cleared of the charges. Regional magistrate Sandra Mupindu acquitted Rushwaya after a full trial because the State failed to prove a case against him.
Rushwaya, through his lawyer Rekai Maposa, denied the allegations saying the maid fabricated the claims when she was fired for stealing money.
Mupindu said the complainant lacked consistency and credibility, and some of her claims could not be corroborated.
As such, she ruled, any reasonable court would not convict anyone basing its judgement on such evidence.
Maposa said that after the alleged rape, the girl went on to spend a night with her boyfriend only to report the alleged rape three days later.
It was alleged that on October 28 last year, Rushwaya arrived home late and unlocked the door before proceeding to the kitchen where the girl was sleeping.
He woke her up and ordered her to remain quiet or he would kill her if she made any noise, it was alleged.
It was also alleged that Rushwaya was holding a baton stick and allegedly stripped the girl and raped her.
The court heard that Rushwaya threatened the girl with death for the second time if she told anyone what had transpired.
The following day, Rushwaya alleged that the girl had stolen $20 as a pretext to dismiss her from work, it was alleged.
Online Reporter