DNA test results for suspected female rapists out today

DNA test results of the blood and semen samples recovered from the three women accused of raping men and that of their alleged victims will be announced in court today. Prosecutor, Mr Tapiwa Kasema,

said the results were expected from South African Police Service Forensic Science laboratory in Pretoria yesterday.

The State sent samples of the semen, which were recovered from the accused person's vehicle and the victim's blood samples for verification whether they matched.

The three, sisters Sophie (26) and Netsai Nhokwara (24), Rosemary Chakwizira (28) are jointly charged with their male counterpart Thulani Ngwenya (24).

They are facing aggravated indecent assault charges.

The matter was initially slated for trial, but was postponed more than twice at the request of the State, which was waiting for the results.

During the postponements, Mr Kasema attributed the delay to several logistical problems in securing the results from South Africa.

He, however, told the court that the results were ready and were expected in the country yesterday paving way for their trial today.

"Your worship we are seeking a postponement of this matter to tomorrow (today) to enable us to furnish the defence team with relevant State papers including the DNA results, which we are expecting in the country today (yesterday).

"The defence needs to be advised that they are going to be served with all the necessary papers in this case tomorrow," he said.

Defence lawyers Mr Dumisani Mthombeni and Mr Arnold Taruvinga conditionally consented to the postponement.

But Mr Mthombeni argued that the matter had taken too long to be completed.

He told the court that if the State fails to give them the forensic results and if the witnesses are not available the accused persons were going to demand that the matter proceeds and they will demand a verdict of not guilty.

"We know for a fact that there is nothing incriminating against the accused persons. If the trial fails to kick-off tomorrow then the State will be left with no option other than withdrawing the matter before plea.

"They have postponed the matter in a trial court several times and it seems the State has been given a long rope to put their house in order.

"There will be no excuse after tomorrow and nothing should stop the State from pressing the charges against the accused persons," he said.

Magistrate Ms Fadzai Mthombeni asked Mr Dumisani Mthombeni if he needed time to study the papers when he receives them and he said they were ready to proceed to trial.

She then deferred the matter to today for trial commencement.

The four were arrested after an accident scene on the 43-kilometre peg along the Lower Gweru Road, on October 8, 2011.

The car was being driven by Ngwenya and a plastic bag containing 31 used condoms with semen was recovered.

It is alleged that the three women rushed to the accident scene intending to hide the plastic. They, however, ran out of luck as police had already discovered the 'loot' during a random search of the vehicle.

According to the State, on various occasions the women would use different tricks to lure men before spraying them with unknown chemicals.

The court heard how the women would take their victims to secluded places where they would force them to take a concoction to stimulate sexual desire.

It is alleged the women would take turns to have sexual intercourse with the victims before leaving them lying unconscious.

At least 17 men, including a soldier and policemen, were allegedly sexually abused.