Mazowe North MP Tsungai Makumbe has been acquitted of raping his ex-wife at gunpoint due to insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony. The incident, reported to have occurred in November 2022, alleged physical coercion and subsequent medical complications. However, the Harare magistrate ruled in favor of Makumbe, stating that the prosecution failed to provide a convincing case.
In a recent ruling, Mazowe North Member of Parliament, Tsungai Makumbe of the Zanu PF party, has been acquitted of charges related to the alleged rape of his 23-year-old ex-wife at gunpoint. The Harare magistrate, Clever Tsikwa, determined that the state had not sufficiently proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The accusations suggested that the incident took place in Mt Pleasant in November 2022, resulting in alleged pregnancy and transmission of a chronic illness.
According to the prosecution, on the night of the incident, Makumbe invited the complainant to his vehicle under the pretense of a meeting. It was alleged that once inside, he brandished a pistol and demanded sexual relations. The prosecution’s account alleged that he physically coerced the complainant before assaulting her. However, initial reports of the incident were not made until much later.
Following the encounter, it was claimed that Makumbe provided the complainant with US$20 for morning-after pills, and the complainant subsequently sought medical treatment, where she was diagnosed with a chronic illness. The formal report to authorities was made on September 2 of this year. Despite these allegations, Magistrate Tsikwa noted that the evidence presented was insufficient and highlighted numerous inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony, ultimately leading to the acquittal of Mr. Makumbe.
The acquittal of Tsungai Makumbe underscores the complexities involved in legal cases of this nature, particularly regarding the reliability of witness testimonies. The court’s critique of inconsistencies in the complainant’s account was pivotal in the verdict. These developments reveal the significant challenges faced by the legal system in sexual assault cases, especially when the evidence is contested.
Original Source: www.zimlive.com
