Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
HIP-HOP artist Holy Ten has given the State a notice – GIVE ME A TRIAL DATE IN TWO WEEKS’ TIME OR REMOVE ME FROM REMAND.
The musician, who is facing charges of allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl, made the application through his lawyer, Admire Rubaya, at the Harare Regional Magistrates Court.
This followed a request by State representative Lawrence Gangarahwe to postpone the matter to allow detectives to finalise investigations.
Regional Magistrate, Marehwanazvo Gofa, heard that if the application is granted, Holy Ten will be released from remand, but can still be legally summoned to face trial at a later date.
The prosecution alleges that on July 20, at approximately 3pm, the complainant and a friend visited Avondale Shopping Centre, where Holy Ten was recording music.
The teenager was scheduled to feature in one of his music videos.
After her friend left, Holy Ten allegedly took the girl to a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Hatfield where he was staying.
The State claims he locked the girl inside his room and threatened to kill her before raping her.
Following the alleged assault, Holy Ten allegedly ordered an associate to book an InDrive taxi to transport the complainant back to Avondale Shopping Centre.
The teenager went back to her aunt’s home, where she stays.
Initially, she told her that she was late because she had been visiting a friend.
She later changed her story and told her about the incident.
A formal police report was subsequently filed, resulting in the artist’s arrest.
Four suspected accomplices connected to the case remain at large.
