adminTendai Gukutikwa
THE trial of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe reverend who allegedly raped his congregant took a new twist as two call audio recordings purportedly made between the two were played in court on Monday. Gladman Chauya (33) is being accused of raping a congregant in January 2015 after he had allegedly lured her to his house. Chauya appeared before regional magistrate, Mr Livingstone Chipadza while Mr Malvern Musarurwa represented the State.
In the first audio recording, a voice labelled as Chauya’s by the complainant is heard apologising to the complainant. The person also asked how he could compensate her for the rape.
The male voice further asked if he could go to the complainant’s family and pay bride price. Says the voice: “Sorry shamwari, wani ndakati sorry wani. Ndouya hangu ndibhadhare roora here, ndingadii? Should I pay for the damage? If so, how much should I pay? (Sorry my friend, is it not that I apologised before. Should I come and pay a bride price for you? What should I do?)”
The voice went on to ask the complainant to “cool down” so that they could help each other out of the mess they were in.
In the recording, the complainant could be heard telling the reverend that he had disrespected her.
“Makandidzikisira, ndaikutrustai samufundisi wangu. Handina kumbofunga kuti muchakwira pamusoro pangu. (You disrespected me, yet I trusted you as my pastor. I never suspected that you would rape me.)”
Mr Innocent Mandikate of Mugadza, Chinzamba and Partners who was representing Chauya queried the authenticity of the recordings saying that it was not his client’s voice in the recording, but the complainant insisted that it was. The matter was adjourned to today (Friday) for continuation of trial.
Online Reporter