Crime and Courts

Mixed reactions over 3 year rape case

-mother appeals for counselling

MILLICENT HUNGWE

MASVINGO-People from all walks of life expressed mixed reactions to the on going rape trial of Tichaona Zvandasara who is accused of raping a three year old.

High Court Judge, Justice Garainesu Mawadze granted ZW$500 000 bail to Zvandasara on February 19 who was allegedly represented by four lawyers on pro bono basis and this has attracted mixed reactions from the Masvingo community.

Some people are saying the Judge was right as the father of the 3 year old is allegedly notorious for framing workmates and is also well known for pilferage wherever he shares accommodation with coworkers.

Some people who called The Midweek Watch expressed shock over the decision as they said the man is facing a serious crime and he should not be allowed to roam the streets of Masvingo.

Indeed, they say one is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, but Zvandasara’s case has set the Masvingo city talking with the public giving different versions over the unfolding rape case.

Traditionally the society does not sympathize with pedophiles, and it is everyone’s wish that such people are condemned into the gallows of hell, worse on a 3-year-old but Zandasara seemed to be finding sympathy amongst those who personally know both the accused and the victim’s family.

Some people close to the goings on said the victim’s father is a controversial character, with a history tainted with bribery scams, theft and blackmailing.

Fadziso Mangwiro who works in the CBD for  a housing cooperative said Zvandasara must face the firing squad if found guilty.

“He was not supposed to get bail at all until the case is finalised as there are chances that he may abscond because he is facing a serious crime. This is like murder, how can a grown up man have feelings for a 3 year old girl, her life is ruined for good,” said a visibly angry Mangwiro.

Zandasara share a council house with the victims’ family and are both employed by the Municipality of Masvingo.  

Masvingo Provincial Ambassador of Women Entrepreneurship Day Organisation, Benonia Machavokuda said bailing an accused person facing such a serious crime is painful especially to mothers.

“It’s our mandate as WEDO to support and empower women and vulnerable girl child as mothers and to that effect we have pooled together some resources and bought some provisions for the girl’s sustenance as is taking some medication which require food.

“The victim is on medication to prevent her from contracting sexually transmitted disease of which the family cannot afford some of her needs hence we are chipping in as a concerned group.

“We have come in and donated food stuffs such as sugar, cooking oil, peanut butter, rice, meat, chunks to the family to ensure the minor recovers and I would want to thank my fellow women who have made it possible.

“However, we are in pain to know that the rapist is now outside roaming around the streets after allegedly committing such a crime, we pray for God’s intervention in this issue,” said Machavokuda.

One senior council employee who spoke on condition of not being named as she is not authorized to speak to the media was singing a different tune in support of Zvandasara.

“Zvandasra is innocent on this matter, the father of the victim is known for his notoriety wherever he stays, chances are very high that they coached their daughter to say whatever she said and it is very possible that he could have committed the crime himself.

“He is known for pilfering, falsely accusing fellow employees of stealing from him.

“If he is arrested for theft he is acquitted under controversial circumstances.

“He can bring his wife here and accuse you of raping her, I will not exonerate him until the matter is concluded, the Judge who granted bail to the accused was very right as chances are someone did it and most likely a close relative,” she said.

Another employee in the Municipal Police Department also supported the lady and said he once stayed with the victim’s father and that is his type of life, always controversial.

 The mother of the victim said she was shocked to learn that Zvandasara is now represented by four lawyers in the ongoing rape trial.

“This is not right, how can a rapist be given bail after committing a heinous crime like this, the accused raped my child, we went to the hospital, and it was confirmed that there was penetration,” she said

“I am failing to understand how it was possible, that Zavandasra has 4 law firms representing him and successfully getting him bailed for rape of a minor,” she added.

The mother of the victim added that her child is now traumatized and since the incident she is no longer comfortable to enter the toilet, where the alleged rape took place.

 “Mwana avakutotya kupinda mutoilet achiti Baba R… vanondivingamo Baba R… ndivo vakandirwadzisa chiweti changu,” she said.

The mother is now pleading for child rights organisations to intervene and offer counseling to both the minor and the family.

However, lawyers representing Zvandasara believe their client is innocent and there is more to the rape allegations than what is being said in court by the victim’s parents.

 Owen Mafa of Mutendi, Mudisi and Shumba Legal Practitioners said that the evidence they havesay that the accused was with his family and other relatives when the alleged rape took place.

“Zvandasara was with his family at that time, and it was corroborated by all the witnesses who were at his house during the alleged commission of the crime.

“It was noted that there was a 12-year sibling, who is a relative to the complainant at that time so the task for the state is to find out who raped the 3-year-old child. “We are not denying the fact that the child really was raped, but by who, we don’t know,” he said.

After paying ZW$500 000 for bail, Zvandasara was ordered to stay at an alternative address, far from the victim’s homestead, must report at Chikato police every Friday and must not interfere with state witnesses, as part of the bail conditions.

Pastor Hibra Gumani from Miracle Fire Chapel said the child needs serious counseling and biblical upbringing as the sexual abuse will affect her for the rest of her life.

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