Online Reporter
B-Metro Reporter
IN a jaw-dropping twist of betrayal and corruption, a Chipinge-based public prosecutor and a legal practitioner found themselves on the wrong side of the law after allegedly trying to derail justice in a rape case involving a minor!
Timothy Katsande (34), a public prosecutor, and Benjamin Basikiti (35), a defence lawyer, are now facing obstruction of justice charges after they were caught red-handed attempting to rewrite the truth in court documents.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the duo connived to doctor the “agreed statement of facts” in a pending rape trial that was set for 15 January 2025. Instead of presenting the original victim’s statement, the pair allegedly altered it — conveniently toning down the charge to merely “having sexual intercourse with a child.”
This wasn’t just a paperwork error. This was a calculated attempt to shield a rape accused from facing the full wrath of the law. Katsande, ironically, was prosecuting the matter, while Basikiti was defending the accused — turning a courtroom that should stand for justice into a backdoor deal room.
The underhanded scheme blew up in their faces. Both suspects were arrested and appeared in court, where they were each granted US$100 bail. They’re set to return to court on April 25, 2025 — this time as the accused.
Justice must not be for sale — and these two may soon learn that the hard way.
Bongani Ndlovu