Mphoko in court for rape, remanded in custody

Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter

FORMER Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s son Siqokoqela on Thursday appeared at Bulawayo magistrates court facing allegations of raping his 12-year-old niece as well as escaping from lawful custody following his arrest on Tuesday.

Mphoko (44) appeared before Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira and he was remanded in custody.

He will return to court on September 15, 2022 for court proceedings.

The State represented by prosecutor Mr Acumen Khupe alleges that sometime in May to August 2022, Mphoko unlawfully and intentionally had sexual intercourse with his niece aged 12 years (name withheld) thrice without her consent knowing that she had not consented to it or realising the real risk or possibility that she might not have consented to it.

Mphoko is also charged with escaping from lawful custody.

The court heard through prosecutor Khuphe that on 30 August 2022, at around 1630 hours and at ZRP Hillside Charge Office, Mphoko was arrested and brought to the charge office for a crime of rape by Assistant Inspector Admire Donha.

Whilst in the charge office he was booked for detention under ZRP Hillside detention book reference number 284/22 and he had signed for his belongings for detention.

“The accused person requested to get his medication from his motor vehicle which was parked outside the charge office, before he could be taken to the police cells for detention. The accused person was escorted by Constable Chimuka to his motor vehicle, he however jumped into his vehicle and he sped off to unknown destination,” said Mr Khuphe

Siqokoqela Mphoko was represented by Mr Thabekhulu Dube of Ncube and Partners Legal Practitioners.

Meanwhile, footballer Kuda Mahachi’s trial for allegedly scalding his son is set to continue tomorrow (Friday). @nyeve14