Cop acquitted of rape charge

A 47-year-old police officer based at Chikuku Police Base in Bikita has been acquitted of rape after the court found that he and the complainant were in a consensual relationship at the time of the alleged incident.

Masvingo Magistrate Archie Wochiungwa acquitted the officer at the Masvingo Magistrates' Court on July 2, 2026, ruling that the evidence presented did not prove the offence of rape.

The State alleged that on May 10, 2025, the complainant, who is now 19 years old, had travelled to Chikuku Business Centre with her two brothers when they encountered the accused as he was walking home.

According to the prosecution, the officer asked the complainant to accompany him to his residence at Chikuku Police Base to assist with carrying water. She allegedly agreed and carried two buckets of water to his home.

After arriving at the residence, the accused allegedly removed his police uniform, placed the buckets inside the house and invited the complainant to sit on the bed, where the two had sexual intercourse.

The prosecution further alleged that the officer asked the complainant not to disclose the encounter and promised to marry her before escorting her back to Magudu Business Centre.

The matter was not reported until about seven months later, after the complainant discovered she was pregnant and informed the accused, who allegedly denied responsibility for the pregnancy.

Following the denial, the complainant's parents reportedly chased her away from home, prompting her mother to report the matter to the police.

During the trial, both the complainant and her mother testified that the case was only reported after the accused denied responsibility for the pregnancy.

In delivering judgment, Magistrate Wochiungwa found that the evidence did not establish that rape had occurred.

"The report was made after seven months, when she found she was pregnant, when the accused denied the pregnancy, and when her parents chased her away. She did not report the matter earlier," the magistrate said.

The court also noted that the complainant, her mother and the accused all testified that the complainant and the officer were in a relationship and had remained in regular contact after the alleged incident.

On the basis of the evidence before the court, the magistrate ruled that the sexual relationship was consensual and acquitted the accused of the rape charge.