Cop allegedly rapes colleague's wife

Police Constable Robert Dzonge is in trouble over allegations of raping his colleague's wife on April Fool's Day in Redcliff this year.

Dzonge, who appeared before a police disciplinary hearing last Thursday, is being charged with breaching the Police Act by "Acting in an unbecoming or disorderly manner or in any manner prejudicial to good order or discipline or reasonably likely to bring discredit to the police".

According to an internal charge sheet, Dzonge, who is currently stationed at ZRP Beitbridge Canine, is alleged to have forced himself on the wife of his fellow police officer in a bush near Nhamo Bridge in Rutendo, Redcliff, on April 1. Besides the internal disciplinary hearing, Dzonge is also facing a criminal rape charge in court, Newsday reported.

Dzonge is accused of waylaying his victim who was on her way to Rutendo suburb using a path through a bushy area and forcibly had sex with her.

"The accused forcibly pulled up the complainants skirt and pulled down her skin tight and pant. He then had sex with his victim without her consent," the charge sheet read in part.

Dzonge then promised to send his victim R200 the following day through Ecocash once he was back at his base in Beitbridge.

According to the charge sheet, Dzonge's victim did not proceed to Rutendo suburb, but instead went back home to her husband.

"Upon arrival at home complainant was asked by husband as to what had happened to her since an unknown caller had already informed him that the accused had dragged her into a bush," reads the charge sheet. A rape case was then reported to the police.

Dzonge's lawyer Caroline Mugabe confirmed that she and her client had appeared before the police disciplinary committee.

"It is true my client is facing the said charges and appeared before a disciplinary committee suffice to say he denies the allegations leveled against him. I will not say much," she said.

The matter is expected to continue today with Dzonge presenting his defence.