Chronicle Editor
PETER MATIKA, [email protected]
BULAWAYO businessman and bar owner, Owen Zhou, has been brought before the courts by a former employee, who is accusing him of raping her in the toilet at work, among other serious charges. Zhou, who operates The Hub Leisure in Paddonhurst suburb, is also facing allegations of indecent assault and common assault.
The 46-year-old appeared in court on Wednesday to answer the charges, to which he pleaded not guilty. He stood before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza, who remanded him out of custody until 10 March for the continuation of his trial.
Prosecutor Dominic Moyo told the court that Zhou allegedly subjected the 20-year-old (name withheld) to persistent harassment over nearly two months, culminating in the alleged rape in the men’s toilet, near the bar counter.
Moyo told the court that the first incident occurred on 20 September last year, when Zhou allegedly indecently assaulted the woman by slapping her on the buttocks while she was at work.
Moyo alleged that Zhou repeatedly committed this act whenever he encountered the woman between 20 September and 6 November last year.
Moyo stated that in September, at approximately 1 AM, Zhou ambushed the woman, who had gone to the ladies’ toilet, before forcibly dragging her to the men’s toilet, where he compelled her to touch his genitals.
Moyo said Zhou threatened the woman, demanding she comply or risk losing her job. It was then alleged that he forced her to bend over and raped her once. The woman reportedly remained silent out of fear of losing her employment.
On a separate occasion, on 6 November, the woman reportedly confronted Zhou regarding unpaid wages, leading to an argument.
Moyo alleged that during the heated argument, Zhou slapped her twice before grabbing her by the collar and forcibly removing her from the premises.
It was stated that the woman confided in her sister, who accompanied her to report the matter to the police. The woman was referred to a hospital, where a medical examination was conducted, with the resulting report submitted as evidence in court.
However, during cross-examination, Zhou’s lawyer, Maqhawe Mpofu of Coughlan and Welsh, accused the woman of fabricating the allegations in an attempt to force Zhou out of his business and extort US$20,000 from him.
Mr Mpofu also asserted that the woman had constructed a web of inconsistencies, making false reports that did not align with her initial allegations.
“You reported the accused person for assault in November, and then in December, you reported him for rape. This does not make sense. Which crime takes precedence here?” Mr Mpofu asked.
In her testimony, the woman stated that the police officer handling the case was slow in investigating the matter and that she did not compile the contents of her warned and cautioned statement.
The woman also claimed that two other employees had witnessed the alleged rape, which prompted her to file a report.
As the case continues this month, two additional witnesses are expected to testify.
Online Reporter