News / National
Zanu-PF Mash West official facing a rape charge acquitted
13 Apr 2015 at 07:21hrs | Views
Former Zanu-PF Mashonaland West youth provincial chairman Goodluck Mbiri has been acquitted on a charge of raping a 14-year-old girl in Mtorashanga. Mbirimi was set free at the close of the State case last Friday after his lawyer Michael Chakandida convinced Chinhoyi magistrate Never Katiyo that the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against him.
The State had alleged that on October 17 last year, Mbiri raped the then Form Two girl at gunpoint at his house in Mtorashanga.
But Mbirimi denied the charges, arguing that he was framed by his "political rivals" who wanted him to miss the Zanu-PF congress in December.
During cross examination, the girl denied ever belonging to any political party.
Asked how many Zanu-PF members she knew, the girl had the court in stitches when she shouted: "Mugabe and Grace".
In acquitting him, the court noted that there were "so many inconsistencies" on the part of the witnesses and the fact that the girl refused to answer some of the questions effectively killed the State's case.
However, Katiyo warned Mbiri to be careful on how he interacts with girls as it might lead him into serious trouble.
The State had alleged that on October 17 last year, Mbiri raped the then Form Two girl at gunpoint at his house in Mtorashanga.
But Mbirimi denied the charges, arguing that he was framed by his "political rivals" who wanted him to miss the Zanu-PF congress in December.
During cross examination, the girl denied ever belonging to any political party.
Asked how many Zanu-PF members she knew, the girl had the court in stitches when she shouted: "Mugabe and Grace".
In acquitting him, the court noted that there were "so many inconsistencies" on the part of the witnesses and the fact that the girl refused to answer some of the questions effectively killed the State's case.
However, Katiyo warned Mbiri to be careful on how he interacts with girls as it might lead him into serious trouble.
Source - newsday
