UZ student in court over rape

Munyaradzi Mashiri

Zim Now Court Correspondent

A University of Zimbabwe student who allegedly raped a former high schoolmate has been taken to court.

Tapiwanashe Chipfere, 21, residing at appeared before magistrate Fadzai Mtombeni at the Harare Magistrates' Courts charged with rape.

He was granted US$50 bail and will appear in court on October 30, 2024.

The complainant in this matter is an 18-year-old woman.

The State, through prosecutor Lancelot Mutsokoti, alleges that on September 25, 2024, the complainant was in her room with her friend doing group work when Chipfere came into her room.

Chipfere offered to assist her with the assignment she was doing since he claimed he had passed that topic when he was on that level.

Chipfere allegedly assisted the complainant to complete the assignment, and as soon as they finished the complainant's study mate left the room but Chipfere stayed.

He then offered to assist with the typing of the assignment for the complainant. Aalfter finishing typing, Chipfere told the complainant that he was hungry and the complainant gave him some noodles that she had left over.

After eating, Chipfere allegedly grabbed the complainant by her waist but the complainant told him to stop since they were not lovers.

The accused did not listen but went on to caress the complainant all over the body.

He even reached to fondle the complainant's buttocks commenting that she had developed bigger buttocks than what she had when they were still at high school.

The complainant reprimanded Chipfere and told him that she was not interested in what he was doing.

Chipfere told the complainant that he just wanted a kiss from her and she refused saying they were not dating.

The court heard that Chipfere then stopped for a while and they continued with their general talks as they were seated on the complainant's bed.

After a few minutes, he started again advancing to the complainant but this time he pushed the complainant to lie on the bed and he sat on top of her.

Chipfere grabbed the complainant's hand and forced her to touch his manhood.

He then removed the complainant's pant, lifted her legs, pushed them towards the shoulders and pinned the legs with his one hand.

He then removed his short and pant down to the knee level using the other hand and finished undressing begged Chipfere to leave her but he did not listen.

Chipfere allegedly than raped the complainant who kept on asking him to stop.

The complainant escaped by fidgeting but Chipfere got hold of her and raped her again.

Chipfere then stopped when he heard the door of the next room being opened.

The complainant then ordered Chipfere to leave her room and he refused and later went out.

The complainant revealed the matter the following morning to her neighbour who advised her to report to their janitor who later escorted her to the University authorities and then to the police.