Murombedzi: There was drama at Murombedzi growth point Wednesday when the father of Mines Minister, Walter Chidhakwa, got relief from a case in which he stands accused of raping a 15 year old relative of his wife’s.
Mr Augustine Chidhakwa who is a 75 years old Zanu-PF and National Constitutional Assembly member, is President Robert Mugabe’s nephew and when he was arrested last week, he was released on the same day under unclear circumstances.
The case was then scheduled to be investigated in a pre-trial session on Wednesday morning.
But before the case could be convened, the family had already received communication that it could not be taken because of what was claimed to be a “lack of evidence,” relatives said.
Our reporter arrived at Murombedzi on Wednesday and found relatives deserting the place with downcast faces. They refused to comment any further although one man told this reporter:
“We haven’t even been given a possible future date for a hearing and this is just not right,” he said adding that he greatly fears that the case will never see justice because of powerful hands meddling with the courts. It is believed that if the issue of evidence was a credible reason, then they would have at least given a future date to after the ninth month when further substantive DNA tests could be performed after birth since the girl, who cannot be named, is currently 5 months pregnant.
Furthermore other immediate tests could have been performed where fluids are extracted and tested for DNA several months before the child is born.
When contacted last week, Mashonaland West Police Spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara however confirmed the case but after further questions refused to give details, escalating the matter to police national spokesperson Charity Charamba. However, when telephoned Mrs Charamba deflected questions back to Mabgweazara who then refused to comment.
In the case allegations are that Augustine Chidhakwa had been raping the victim, his wife’s sister, at their village home in Zvimba, since June this year and was discovered by his wife after it was revealed that her young sister was pregnant.
Mrs Chidhakwa then reported the matter to Murombedzi Police Station who arrested Chidhakwa. He was released on the very same day without an explanation being given.
The girl who was doing her Grade Six at a primary school in Zvimba last year, is now 5 months pregnant.
19 Replies to “RAPE COURT CASE LATEST: Mines Minister’s Father, 75, Walks Free”
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What prima facie evidence are you saying is there? So at the mean time we cannot blame the police or politics as no proof which shows the man raped the girl. Maybe it could be Chidhakwa’s wife who is being jealousy that her husband is now going for her younger sister. Just imagine 5 months pregnant maybe the girl was enojoying or could have consented to having sex and people just want to cover up by going to the police.
When a woman is raped she must report the matter within 72 hours and must not bath during this three days so that some semen or evidence is collected.
Unlike this case being pregnant is not an enough evidence which shows the girl was raped, they have to wait until the child is born and DNA test must be carried to determine if Chidhakwa is the biological father of the child which otherwise will be of no use as the child will require both parents’ support for the child’s best interests.
how can you lose a case in yo cousin’s court.
Tinomuziva mudhara Dhaki, this is not the first time. He is serial rapper and he always gets away with it. Ane hunhu hwakafonyeka sedako renzou
It’s very unfortunate that the story gives the impression that Chidhakwa Snr is definitely guilty…how about the presumption of “innocent until proven guilty”?! Allegations of rape should always be treated carefully coz it’s a known fact that when a woman wants to nail you, rape is the easiest allegation to make.
For those who are sceptical, I remind you about the case of the ex-CAPS soccer star, Edelbert Dinha: when he was about to pursue a soccer career in SA allegations of him having raped his own daughter started circulating, complete with the story that the said daughter had been medically examined and found with semen on her private parts. It later turned out that in fact, Dinha’s wife/girl-friend had deliberately smeared the sexual fluids [after intercourse with Dinha] on the girl’s private parts and immediately taken her for medical examination; and she had coached the young girl to claim that her father had raped her! This is a true story! The question is: how many innocent men have been thrown behind bars after such fabricated claims?! How many times have such false claims been reported in newspapers?!
In this particular case I would say let’s be cautious until it has been proven beyond any reasonable doubt that Chidhakwa did rape the girl.
In conclusion, I think it’s unethical to use Walter Chidhakwa’s photo with the story as if he is the one who allegedly committed the crime.
This case is dead. It will never see the light of day. The wife and her preg sister must now watch their backs
Whats wrong with someone 16 being in grade 6. Remember it is Zim. Pamwe akafirwa nevabereki akazonochengetwa nasisi after one or so many years asingaende kuchikoro. Would you say tsano makura hazvichaita kuti muiite grade 2 at 12. Ende chikoro chekumaruzevha futi. I see vamwe makazvarirwa mutown mukakuriramo, you dont know what it is like kumamisha uko.
This old man must stand trial because there is aPrima Facie case here. Unless u re saying raping muramu wako is legal.I wish to help the affected family with proper legal advice. these guys varikushandisa politics as their defence tool, but that wont help them coz we re determined to bring this accused madala to book. let the family of the victim get i touch with me.
zanu pf kumawere. iyo ndiyo inonzi party yemhondi uye party yakazara vanhu vakafonyoka pfungwa.tichasangana kudenga
diamond money!! chidhakwa come clean like you did with the bribe issues, baba vako how far?expose more corruption please if you are really true .wakanyirei mwana uyu uchisiya mhondi baba vako? shame, shame, shame
This was obvious from the onset that hapana kwayangaichienda nyaya. There’s no justice for the poor souls. As it is the old man is patted on the shoulders kuti “yah mudhara unogona basa pamberi” . It just a pity
Eish zanu pf boader gezis can make aguments and very shallow reasoning on issues which only needs common medular, its very possible for a 15 year to be in grade 6,hamuzivi kuti vana vechikoro vanodzokorodza here kana ari madofo very stupid indeed,maboader gezi mangani avakudzokera kuchikoro now mushure mekunge vatadza kupinda mabasa avakanga vavimbiswa neZanu without proper qualifications ,
She was in grade 6 and 15 years old? They must then arrest all those Johane Masvove people who have 12 and 13 year old brides. Damn paeodophiles.
viva zanu . pasi nenharadada . cde mugabe is always right . pamberi nejongwe . pasi naTsvangirai . pamberi nekuita rape and murder in the name of patriotism and zanu pf . pasi naNkomo . pasi nemachuwachuwa . pasi naMuzorewa . pamberi nekuita rape vanhu ve MDC . Viva zanu .
Is the photograph that of the 75yr old father or the son. The caption on it does not leave one any wiser
tikakusungai vanonyora nhema moti takaipa.15 years grade 6. urimboko munyori
UNONYEPA JOURNO. 15 YEARS GRADE 6 IWE UKWANE. USAVENGE VANHU NITABSA RAKO CHETE
there is a great and fair judge in heaven
Zanu is not there for justice or the people. It’s not accountable to anyone
Inotambika baba vevakuru vakuruwoka