Former minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti up for raping...

Former minister Kudakwashe Bhasikiti up for raping 12-year-old from orphanage

Zim Now Writer

Former National Assembly Member for Mwenezi East (Zanu PF), who served as Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Masvingo Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, 60, appeared in court following his arrest on allegations of rape.

The former legislator, who was expelled from Zanu PF at the height of factionalism within the party in 2015 appeared before Mwenezi magistrate Faina Makumbe facing rape charges.

A former member of the Zanu PF politburo, Bhasikiti is accused of raping a 12-year-old girl at an orphanage that he ran in Mwenezi.

Bhasikiti was not asked to plead but magistrate Makumbe remanded him in custody until December 29 and advised him to apply for bail at the High Court.

The former legislator will be transferred to Chiredzi Remand Prison since his case will now be heard at the Chiredzi Regional Court.

Hardlife Machando, who appeared for the State, said sometime in 2019 Bhasikiti went into a room at an orphanage that he ran at his farm in Mwenezi.

He allegedly approached the complainant and gagged her mouth with one of his hands before forcibly removing her clothes.

The former Minister proceeded to rape the girl once and threatened unspecified action if she told anyone.

Bhasikiti, who later became a senior member of the Joice Mujuru-led People First following his expulsion from Zanu PF, was arrested by officers from Mwenezi Police Station following a tip-off about the alleged rape sometime this year.