'Wife helps husband rape teenager'

A 49-year-old builder who was allegedly assisted by his wife to rape a 16-year-old prophet's daughter has been arraigned before the courts.

Kefasi Zvakandishatira's wife is alleged to have held the teenager's legs while her husband raped the girl in their one-roomed Glen View lodging.

Zvakandishatira was not asked to plead when magistrate Don Ndirowei remanded him in custody to June 20.

Ndirowei further advised the man to apply for bail at the High Court.

The court heard that Zvakandishatira fell ill in December 2012, and went to seek help at the girl's rural area in Buhera, where her father works as a prophet.

After the healing session, Zvakandishatira and his wife asked the girl's parents for the minor to accompany them to the bus stop and they agreed.

While walking to the bus stop, Zvakandishatira gave the girl a new skirt and a top to wear, but did not tell her why he had done so after she had inquired.

It is the State's case that when Zvakandishatira and his wife boarded the bus, the minor followed them in with their luggage.

However, when she was about to leave they grabbed her hand and told her she was not going anywhere before the bus drove to Harare.

Allegations are that when they were at Zvakandishatira's house, the teenager prepared supper and they retired to sleep, with the man resting between the girl and his wife.

Prosecutor Tungamirai Chakurira said Zvakandishatira started to fondle the girl and insisted on having intercourse with her but she refused.

It is then that Zvakandishatira's wife allegedly held the girl's legs while her husband raped her while they were sleeping in the same room.

It is alleged that Zvakandishatira made it a habit of raping the girl on numerous occasions until the girl told one Pedzisai Kasengweni about her ordeal, resulting in the arrest.