The bogus doctor on trial for allegedly raping two nurses has disappeared.
The man who is on bail for allegedly raping a student nurse based at Harare Central Hospital and a nurse from a private hospital, was yesterday issued with a warrant of arrest after vanishing from court, the State Media reports.
Lawrence Kutoka (38) of Waterfalls, became the talk of the city when news of his rape charges reached the newsprint. The development was likened to that of a Kenyan doctor who “raped an unconscious woman in hospital”.
Kutoka was granted bail by the High Court and was yesterday back at Chitungwiza court before regional magistrate, Ms Estere Chivasa for trial.
He was not asked to plead to two counts of rape and aggravated indecent assault charges.
Kutoka was seeking a postponement of the matter after his lawyer could not attend trial.
When Ms Chivasa advised Kutoka that the trial was supposed to start, he professed ignorance telling the court that he had paid the lawyer for the services.
“I cannot stand trial because my lawyer is not around. I paid him,” he said.
However, Ms Chivasa refuted the claims.
“Tell your lawyer that he will read the record. If he is busy he should have sent someone.
“You have a right to a legal representative, but that is not absolute.
“I will give you an hour to look for another lawyer since the one you sought services from seems to be unwilling to help after he failed to collect your court papers,” said Ms Chivasa who then adjourned the court.
After the lapse of the granted time, Kutoka was called three times but was in no show prompting the prosecutor Mr Loveti Muringwa to apply for a warrant of arrest.
Ms Chivasa concurred and said: “Warrant of arrest issued.
“I have already endorsed that the accused should be remanded in custody upon arrest.”
Circumstances are that Kutoka raped the pair after he promised to offer them jobs at his “surgery” on November 5.
He met his first victim, a nurse (20) at a private hospital on her way to Eastlea to collect her salary when Kutoka allegedly introduced himself as a doctor.
Kutoka allegedly told her that he opened a new surgery and wanted nurse aides.
They later met in town and handed him her CV, inviting her into his vehicle on the pretext of taking her home to Highfield.
He allegedly drove to Marondera where he raped the woman.
On November 9, Kutoka allegedly met the second victim at Harare Central Hospital, introducing himself as Dr Madiro.
It is alleged that he used the same trick to lure her to Chitungwiza where he raped her.-State Media