Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
Zimbabwean hip-hop artiste Mukudzei Chitsama, popularly known as Holy Ten, is facing allegations of raping a 14-year-old girl. Through his lawyer, Mr Admire Rubaya, he has applied for refusal of further remand if the State fails to provide him with a trial date on 5 November.
The State, led by Mr Lawrence Gangarahwe, applied for the case to be postponed to that date pending the finalisation of investigations.
Chitsama appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa.
It is alleged that, at around 3 pm on 20 July, the complainant and her friend went to Avondale Shopping Centre, where Holy Ten was recording music.
The two reportedly waited for him to finish because the girl was expected to feature in his music video.
The friend later left, after which Holy Ten allegedly took the girl to a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Hatfield, where he was staying and working.
On arrival, Holy Ten allegedly took the girl to his room and locked the door from the inside. The State alleges that he then threatened her, telling her to comply with his demands or he would kill her.
The State alleges that, after the incident, Holy Ten instructed a man to arrange an InDrive ride for the complainant. The ride took her to Avondale shops, where she met her aunt, with whom she was staying.
The aunt asked where she had been. At first, the girl said she had visited a friend, but later told her what had allegedly happened.
The aunt then accompanied her to make a police report, leading to the singer’s arrest. His four alleged accomplices are still at large.
