MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU – A Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officer based in Gweru, Makopa Manyadze (45), was on Monday acquitted of rape charges after the State failed to establish a prima facie case.
Manyadze had been on trial for allegedly raping a 20-year-old woman at her home in Gweru’s Kopje suburb.
He was cleared of the charges after his lawyer, Innocent Hore, successfully applied for discharge at the close of the State’s case.
In his ruling, Regional Magistrate, Christopher Maturure said the prosecution had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
He said there were glaring inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony.
During the trial, Manyadze denied rape charges and told the courts that the complainant consented to have sexual intercourse.
Manyadze was exonerated by the complainant during cross examination by the defense counsel when she admitted that she consented to sex.
“Is it true that on the day in question, you willingly consented to sexual intercourse with the accused and that you were not raped by the accused,”? asked counsel Hore before the complainant replied yes.
The CIO added that the alleged rape was a fabricated charge instigated by the complainant’s employer (girlfriend).
According to the State’s case, the alleged incident occurred on a Monday of June 23, when the complainant was alone at home.
Manyadze, who is said to have instructed her to take a bath earlier, allegedly arrived at her residence and attempted to initiate physical contact.
It was alleged that he forcibly undressed her after she refused his advances, and raped her.
The matter was reported to the police after the complainant told her twin sister, who then informed their mother.
