(Last Updated on February 9, 2016 by Editor)
ZIMBABWE – The Prosecutor-General’s Office has released the original docket of the rape case of Zanu-PF Bikita West legislator Munyaradzi Kereke after a Harare magistrate issued an order for it to be surrendered to the private prosecutor handling the case.
This means that the case will now proceeed on the basis of the original docket when it resumes on Thursday which the private prosecutor, Mr Charles Warara, believes was not tampered with.
Regional magistrate Mr Noel Mupeiwa ordered the PG’s Office to release the original docket on Friday last week following an application by Mr Warara, who indicated that the duplicate docket which he was given had been heavily tampered with to the prejudice of the complainant.
Mr Warara indicated that he had written so many letters to the PG’s Office requesting the original docket, but to no avail.
He told the court that the duplicate statement of the scene report which was compiled at Borrowdale police station had some distorted information, adding that important information which had been supplied by the rape complainant had been removed.
The girl was 11 years old in 2010 when she was allegedly raped by Kereke, who is also facing another charge of allegedly fondling the girl’s older sister who was 15 years old the same year.
Dr Edward Chanakira, who examined the complainant, testified on Friday last week following the defence’s application to have him summoned to appear in court and clarify certain issues.
Kereke, through his lawyer Mr Erum Mutandiro, wanted the doctor to explain his findings.
Dr Chanakira confirmed that he was the one who examined the complainant and took the court through the medical affidavit.
He confirmed that after the examination, he discovered that there was penetration on the girl.
Dr Chanakira went on to tell the court the procedure he did on the complainant.
When defence lawyers made the application, they had indicated that Dr Chanakira was not on duty when the complainant was taken there.
They also questioned why Dr Chanakira’s name did not appear on the doctor’s schedule of November 1 2010 which they said was in their possession.
Mr Mutandiro further argued that Dr Chanakira was not the one who conducted the examination.
Dr Chanakira maintained that he was the one who examined the complainant and compiled the medical report.
Mr Warara is yet to call three more witnesses to testify against Kereke.
The trial continues on Thursday.
Mr Warara alleged that sometime in March 2010, Kereke was alone with the then 11-year-old girl, whom he grabbed by the waist and pushed her onto the couch before fondling her breasts.
She allegedly screamed, but no one heard her.
On August 22, 2010, the younger girl was allegedly asked to baby sit by Kereke’s wife.
When the baby fell asleep, the girl sat on the couch in the bedroom and Kereke allegedly started fondling her.
He allegedly pointed a gun at the girl and threatened to shoot her if she did not comply with his orders and raped her.