Epworth man up for attempted rape

Michael Mashiri

An Epworth illegal taxi driver, who attempted to rape a 14-year-old girl who was a passenger on the car, has been arraigned before the courts.

Clement Raphel, 36, of Overspill Epworth, appeared before magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts accused of attempted rape, contravening Section 65 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, Chapter 9.23.

The State, through Pardon Dziva, alleges that, on April 9 at around 1900 hours, the complainant boarded Raphel’s grey Honda Fit at Musiwa, Shamva and was going to Guwa Bus Stop where her grandmother was waiting for her.

Upon arrival at the bus stop, the complainant noticed that her grandmother was not there.

Raphel refused to drop the complainant, citing the fact that it was not a safe area.

He then drove the complainant to Harare, promising to drive her back after dropping other passengers.

After Raphel dropped all the other passengers, he refused to drive the complainant back saying she would sleep with his wife at his house.

The complainant refused to go to Raphel’s home and he drove along Robert Mugabe Road, towards Eastlea and stopped near Bodle Road.

He told the complainant to pay for the journey from Guwa Bus Stop to Harare and he started fondling her breasts, saying he was searching for money.

He went on to lift up the complainants’ dress trying to put his hand into the complainants’ pants. The complainant moved out of the car to escape but Raphel grabbed her hand.

He twisted her hand and kicked her to the ground before stepping on her head with his booted foot. The girl was later rescued by a security guard who lit them with a torch.

Raphel was remanded in custody to May 31.