Gang rape trial begins

Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
THE trial of four men who allegedly drugged and gang-raped a 12-year-old Eveline High School pupil kicked off yesterday with the men pleading not guilty. Sandiso Moyo, 26, Malvin Moyo, 24, Oliver Sibanda, 37, a married nurse working at Mpilo Central Hospital and Chilando Mwansa, 27, told regional magistrate Mark Dzira the girl voluntarily drank Vodka, which they gave her.

In her testimony, the girl said Moyo had used his sister’s phone to call her to his house. “I met Sandiso who asked for my phone number which I gave him. Later he asked me to come to his house and texted saying he was waiting and that we meet by Barbourfields Pre-School,” said the girl in camera.

“I eventually went to the house and found the four men seated outside the house. Sibanda then took out a colourless wine and diluted it with a soft drink and they offered me to drink but I refused. Eventually I gave in and drank. Sibanda took out a wine glass and poured the same wine adding some substance which I did not see.”

She said she then became drunk. “I drank until I became drunk. Sibanda then headed to the door told the others that I was now drunk and that I was supposed to be taken into the house.”

According to the girl, one of the men carried her to the house and placed her on the sofa though she did not see who it was exactly. “I don’t know what happened after that but I regained consciousness at around 6PM. They took me home and I realised I was missing my phone which they later gave me,” she said.

“I got home and slept alone. The following day I woke up only to realise I was wearing a strange T-shirt. I also noticed my track bottom was torn, my pant had a whitish substance and I could not walk properly.”

The girl told her grandmother who took her to a hospital for medical examination leading to the arrest of the gang. Magistrate Dzira remanded the four, who are on $50 bail, to December 14.

Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe told the court that medical reports from Family Support Clinic proved that the girl was raped and had a fresh hymen tear.

There was a skirmish outside the courtroom as the four men tried to manhandle The Chronicle photographer, Obey Sibanda, accusing him of exposing them.

“What are you doing in court? You must remember that you do not live in this building and we will hunt you down and deal with you thoroughly,” they threatened with the help of two women accompanying them.