Chronicle EditorPeter Matika, [email protected]
THE High Court reopened on Wednesday for the third term, with several high-profile cases lined up for hearing, among them, the appeal of Siqokoqela Mphoko, son of former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko, who is challenging his conviction and 20-year sentence for rape.
Mphoko’s case, however, was struck off the roll after Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nokuthula Moyo recused herself, citing a potential conflict of interest as they are neighbours.
Mphoko was convicted in May last year for raping his 12-year-old niece and escaping from lawful custody. He was sentenced to 20 years in jail and later released on $200 000 bail, pending appeal.
As part of his bail conditions, Mphoko was required to reside at his given address, report monthly to Hillside Police Station, and surrender the title deeds to his home. The appeal remains pending.
According to court records, Mphoko committed the crime between May and August last year. He was arrested on August 30, but managed to escape from police custody while pretending to retrieve medication from his car, speeding off to an unknown destination.
Another high-profile case scheduled for this term involves a 24-year-old man from Siganda Village in Matabeleland North, accused of drugging and raping two minors, aged 8 and 9, in 2022.
According to court papers, the accused, who was friends with the minors’ brother, lured the girls to his home where he sexually assaulted them and later offered them US$1 and R10 to keep silent.
The court documents detail multiple instances of abuse, with the accused allegedly drugging the victims by feeding them popcorn laced with narcotics in September 2023. The children’s strange behaviour raised suspicions with their father, who, after questioning them, reported the matter to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
Also set for hearing is the case of the murder of 16-year-old Milton High School pupil, Wayne Ndlovu. Ndlovu was fatally stabbed in a turf war involving students from Milton High and Hamilton High School.
Two boys from Hamilton High were arrested in connection with the murder
Online Reporter