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ZANU-PF Manicaland provincial secretary for education Amon Chiwocha, who is alleged to have raped a child MP from Honde Valley in 2014, has a case to answer, ruled Rusape regional magistrate Mr Livingstone Chipadza.
Chiwocha, through his lawyer, Mr Hugo Tanaya of Mugadza and Chinzamba Legal Practitioners, had applied for discharge at the close of the State case, but Mr Chipadza put Chiwocha on his defence on Tuesday. The State, led by Rusape area prosecutor Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira, led evidence from the 16-year-old child parliamentarian and the two nurses, one who was first told of the alleged offence and the one who examined her.
Chiwocha (35), who is a teacher at Eastern Highlands Number 6 Primary School, is denying the charges, saying the girl was being influenced by his political enemies to fake the rape allegations. His two defence witnesses, Lovemore Chombe and Maxwell Amadi, have since testified in court.
The matter was adjourned to April 23 for continuation of trial.
Mr Mutyasira told the court that Chiwocha allegedly raped the Form Three girl in a hotel room in Rusape and threatened her with removal from her post if she ever disclosed the incident to anyone.
“On April 8, 2014 around 4pm, Chiwocha, the complainant and other people left Hauna Growth Point in Honde Valley in a commuter omnibus.
“They were scheduled to attend the belated 21st February Movement celebrations at Matsika Business Centre in Rusape.
“In the commuter omnibus, the accused sat next to the complainant. During the journey, the accused stretched his hand pretending to open the window while his arm swiped the teenager’s breasts.
“Chiwocha and his delegation arrived at the venue around 9pm, but were told that they had to spend the night at Manica Hotel in Rusape. At Manica Hotel, Chiwocha paid for everyone’s accommodation. The receptionist put the room keys on the table and each delegate picked their keys. Before the complainant could pick hers, Chiwocha picked her keys and they proceeded to her room. Chiwocha unlocked the complainant’s room and went away with the keys. The complainant fell asleep, leaving the lights and television in her room on.
“At around 1am, Chiwocha sneaked into the complainant’s room and put off the light. The girl identified the accused by the television light. Chiwocha said to the complainant: ‘Nhasi ndazokubata mufanha wainyanya kuvhaira’.
“The girl tried to leave the room, but the accused held her hand. A scuffle ensued and Chiwocha overpowered the girl and proceeded to rape her once. The accused person threatened to remove the complainant from her post as the Child Parliamentarian using his position in the party if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
“The matter came to light on October 28, 2014 when the complainant was referred to Chisuko Clinic by her school authorities after they suspected that she was sexually abused by her boyfriend in Harare,” said Mr Mutyasira.
The girl revealed the rape incident to Marble Mafunga, a nurse at Chisuko Clinic, and she was referred to Hauna District Hospital for medical examinations.
Online Reporter