Star witness maid in no show at court, magistrate ...

Star witness maid in no show at court, magistrate summons police

Zim Now Writer

The investigating officer in rape-accused nightclub manager Ronnie Ngwenya’s case has been summoned by court after the witness to testify against Ngwenya absconded court for the second time.

Ngwenya is on trial for allegedly raping his 13-year-old niece.

The matter was back in court for trial continuation and prosecutor Loveit Muringwa sought a postponement to afford the investigating officer an opportunity to try and secure the attendance of the maid.

The witness, who is the maid, was the first person the minor revealed the alleged rape to and was set to be the State’s star witness, but is nowhere to be found.

Efforts by the investigating officer to secure her attendance have so far been unproductive.

While the application was unopposed, presiding magistrate Clever Tsikwa ordered the State to call the investigating officer to appear before him to shed light on the challenges he is facing to secure the witness’s attendance.

The trial resumes on April 28.

Allegations are that on December 9, 2022 at around 1am, the minor woke up and found Ngwenya, who is her uncle, fondling her private parts. He covered her mouth and raped her.

He was said to have left her room and he returned after a while and met her going to the toilet.

He is alleged to have dragged her onto the bed and raped her again.

The child reported the matter immediately to the maid.