adminLeonard Ncube Court Reporter
Sonny Kuzomunhu Chasi who is facing rape and murder charges allegedly raped his seven-month pregnant wife before killing her, the court heard yesterday.
The prominent black empowerment activist, Chasi, is also charged with raping his daughter on six occasions.
Whisper Mabhaudi, prosecuting, told High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese that Chasi allegedly raped his wife Dorcas Majola, 44, before killing her on November 15, 2012.
Chasi insists that four men attacked him and Majola in Suburbs as they were walking home at night and that muggers sexually abused her while he watched from a distance.
“No four people attacked the deceased as the accused want this court to believe. The weapons he mentions are not consistent with the injuries,” Mabhaudi said.
“He is the one who attacked her because their marriage had crumbled since the wife had been impregnated by another man.”
He added: “The State’s inference is that the accused is the one who raped the deceased. Why would he force her to go for HIV testing? Isn’t it clear that he intended to have sex with her after testing?
“He is actually lucky that he is not facing charges of raping his deceased wife who was found with abrasions on her thighs and arms according to the report.”
Mabhaudi said the State had proved its case beyond any doubt, that Chasi killed his wife and raped his daughter.
“He had motive to attack and kill her. Why would he leave her in pain for the whole night and only make a report in the morning. The State prays that he be found guilty of murder with actual intent,” submitted Mabhaudi.
He added that it was mind boggling that at 72 years old and partially disabled, Chasi could outrun his attackers who remained behind assaulting and raping his wife.
Chasi’s pro deo lawyer, Herbert Shenje, said the court had a duty to resolve whether or not the accused had reconciled with his wife when he was released from prison in November 2012.
“None of the witnesses witnessed the incident. None also could explain why the accused’s family left its Waterford house for Richmond. It is clear that the deceased was ashamed of her actions after falling pregnant out of wedlock and the accused was expected to react angrily,” said Shenje.
He said if Chasi had a motive to kill Majola, she could have noticed it and took some measures during the time they stayed together after he discovered that she was pregnant. On the issue of HIV testing, Shenje said Chasi showed that he still loved his wife and his actions were “consistent with what he had learnt in prison.”
The defence lawyer argued that the presence of four alleged muggers should not be ruled out considering the prevalence of crime in Suburbs.
On the charges of rape he said witnesses testified that there was no penetration as Chasi only ejaculated on his daughter’s thighs, and submitted that his client be found not guilty.
Justice Makonese said he needed time to go through the submissions and evidence before he delivering judgment later this month.
Chasi’s eldest daughter told the court that his father forced her half sister to bath in his semen after allegedly raping her.
Online Reporter