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Nyore Madzianike Senior Court Reporter
GOODNESS and Mercy Ministries church leader Tapiwa Freddy yesterday appeared in court on allegations of raping an ex-lover twice last year but was released on free bail.
Known as Prophet T Freddy, the preacher appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi charged with two counts of rape.
Freddy, who was represented by lawyers Mr Everson Chatambudza, Mr Malvern Mapako and Mr Jivas Mudimu, was not asked to plead to the charges and was remanded to December 6 on free bail.
Mr Anesu Chirenje, prosecuting, alleged that in November 2019, the husband of Freddy’s ex-lover fell ill and the woman sought assistance from the preacher. Freddy gave the woman US$2 500 to cover the husband’s medical expenses.
The court heard that the woman took her husband to Karanda Hospital where he subsequently died. Freddy met the woman’s transport expenses from Karanda Hospital to Harare.
The court heard that after three months, Freddy proposed love to the woman but she turned him down, saying it was against tradition to be involved in a love affair soon after the death of her husband.
In November last year Freddy accompanied the woman to her rural home in Chendambuya to see her child. The State alleges that the two returned to Harare at around 7.30pm and went to the woman’s home where, it is further alleged, Freddy went to the woman’s bedroom where he declared to the woman that he was her new husband.
Allegations are that Freddy raped her, and then asked her to consider him as her husband and promised to look after her and the child.
Freddy allegedly threatened the woman with his spiritual powers, saying her God was not the same as his.
The woman is said to have told her uncle about the assault, but Freddy would visit the woman for sexual sessions. In July this year, she turned him down after noticing genital sores, it is alleged, but the next day he returned and allegedly raped her again.
Further allegations are that Freddy would deny her the right to associate with her workmates, friends and other people.
In August this year, Freddy allegedly met the woman at Moja Shopping Centre in Harare and they had a misunderstanding which ended with the preacher slapping the woman.
After the assault, Freddy allegedly promised to pay for her medication.
The woman reported the matter to police, leading to Freddy’s arrest.
Online Reporter