Zanu PF MP Tsungai Makumbe Acquitted of Rape Charges Against Ex-Wife

Tsungai Makumbe, a Zanu PF MP, was acquitted of raping his ex-wife at gunpoint due to lack of evidence. The incident, claimed to have occurred in November 2022, involved allegations of force and threats. The magistrate cited major inconsistencies in the testimonies presented in court.

Mazowe North MP Tsungai Makumbe from the Zanu PF party has been acquitted of rape charges against his 23-year-old ex-wife, which allegedly occurred at gunpoint. Harare magistrate Clever Tsikwa determined that the prosecution failed to establish the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The incident reportedly took place in November 2022 in Mt Pleasant, where it was alleged that Makumbe confronted the complainant at her home around 10 PM.

According to the prosecution, Makumbe summoned the complainant to his vehicle, where he brandished a grey pistol and demanded sexual acts. The court documents indicated that he forcibly manipulated the complainant before allegedly raping her without protection. Following the incident, it is claimed that he gave her $20 for morning-after pills to prevent pregnancy, and the incident went unreported until September 2 of this year.

Upon examination, the complainant was treated for a chronic illness at Parirenyatwa Hospital, and, despite the serious nature of the allegations, Magistrate Tsikwa found inconsistencies in her testimony. The ruling emphasized that the evidence presented did not support the claims against Makumbe, stating that the complainant’s account contained numerous discrepancies. John Ndomene represented Makumbe during the trial.

Tsungai Makumbe has been acquitted of rape charges due to insufficient evidence and inconsistencies in the complainant’s testimony. The case highlights the challenges in proving allegations of sexual assault in court, especially when evidence cannot corroborate the claims made. Judicial scrutiny played a crucial role in determining the verdict, concluding that the prosecution did not meet the burden of proof required for a conviction.

Original Source: www.zimlive.com