News / National
Policeman rapes woman for gossip
06 Mar 2014 at 15:34hrs | Views
A police officer was today sentenced to 15 years for raping a 20-year-old woman who gossiped about him, threatening to take her to the President's office as punishment if she failed to comply.
Kudakwashe Kapota (23) who was stationed at Marlborough Police Station lied to the woman that he was a presidential guard stationed at the President's office.
Harare magistrate Ms Sadra Mpindu sentenced Kapota to 18-years in prison after convicting him of rape and suspended three years for five years.
In passing sentence, Ms Mpindu highlighted that Kapota brought the President's office into disrepute.
"What is disturbing is that accused is a police officer who is under obligation to uphold and enforce the law. The question is who should police the police?
"The offence was deliberate and calculated after lying that he was a member of the presidential guard.
"He later arrested the woman, said he was to take her to the Presidential office to explain herself and to be assaulted. Accused tarnished the image of the office after portraying it as a place where people are assaulted hence putting it in disrepute."
Prosecutor Ms Ressie Nyamombe said on December 13 last year around 8pm Kapota approached the woman to inquire about the gossip she was spreading about him.
After the confrontation, Kapota told the woman that she was under arrest.
The woman begged for forgiveness and Kapota inquired what she was willing to give to earn the forgiveness.
He then asked her to become his wife because he wanted to make love to her that night but the woman remained silent.
Kapota's friend arrived in a commuter omnibus and he boarded with his culprit.
They proceeded to his friend's house at number 14 Chigwenhure Road, and the friend left the pair alone upon arrival.
Kapota attempted to forcibly remove the woman's clothes and she refused.
She removed her own clothes before being raped once.
After the sexual assault, the woman dressed up and was dropped at Samuriwo shopping centre.
She revealed the abuse to her boyfriend and sister who advised her to report the matter to the police.
Kudakwashe Kapota (23) who was stationed at Marlborough Police Station lied to the woman that he was a presidential guard stationed at the President's office.
Harare magistrate Ms Sadra Mpindu sentenced Kapota to 18-years in prison after convicting him of rape and suspended three years for five years.
In passing sentence, Ms Mpindu highlighted that Kapota brought the President's office into disrepute.
"What is disturbing is that accused is a police officer who is under obligation to uphold and enforce the law. The question is who should police the police?
"The offence was deliberate and calculated after lying that he was a member of the presidential guard.
"He later arrested the woman, said he was to take her to the Presidential office to explain herself and to be assaulted. Accused tarnished the image of the office after portraying it as a place where people are assaulted hence putting it in disrepute."
Prosecutor Ms Ressie Nyamombe said on December 13 last year around 8pm Kapota approached the woman to inquire about the gossip she was spreading about him.
After the confrontation, Kapota told the woman that she was under arrest.
The woman begged for forgiveness and Kapota inquired what she was willing to give to earn the forgiveness.
He then asked her to become his wife because he wanted to make love to her that night but the woman remained silent.
Kapota's friend arrived in a commuter omnibus and he boarded with his culprit.
They proceeded to his friend's house at number 14 Chigwenhure Road, and the friend left the pair alone upon arrival.
Kapota attempted to forcibly remove the woman's clothes and she refused.
She removed her own clothes before being raped once.
After the sexual assault, the woman dressed up and was dropped at Samuriwo shopping centre.
She revealed the abuse to her boyfriend and sister who advised her to report the matter to the police.
Source - The Herald
