City businessman in rape storm

Innocent Mangwendeza, a 29-year-old Harare businessman, is scheduled to appear in court on 26 March on charges of allegedly forcing a former female employee to have sex with him while holding her hostage for months.

Mangwendeza who runs Tiwiss Hardware was reported to Borrowdale Police Station by his alleged victim.

The matter was later directed to Chinamhora Police Station in Domboshava under case RRB6286558 and before the care of the Family Support Unit.

In her statement, the complainant said she was given a job to work as a cashier at the accused’s business enterprise.

Since she knew no one in Harare and was seconded for a job by the accused’s older brother, she stayed at Mangwendeza’s house.

When she arrived from Victoria Falls to take up employment, her boss, Mangwendeza, was due to leave for the United Kingdom for a 10-day visit two days later.

On his return, that’s when the alleged abuse started.

The alleged victim, in her police statement, said Mangwendeza would force himself on her at night when he came home at times drunk.

Since she knew no one in Harare, she had challenges on who to turn to.

It wasn’t until January this year that she eventually told the person who got her the job.

He confronted Mangwendeza, and they exchanged harsh words.

A police report was eventually made, and on 7 March there was a pre-trial before prosecutors in Domboshava, who referred the matter to Harare.

On 12 March, before prosecutors at the Rotten Row Harare Magistrates’ Court that deals with criminal cases, it was agreed that the case should go on full trial on 26 March.