By A Correspondent| High Court judge Joseph Musakwa has dealt a major blow to former legislator Munyaradzi Kereke who had approached the court seeking permission to appeal against his conviction on rape charges.

In his judgement, Musakwa said he found no reason to interfere with the magistrate and High Court’s rulings on Kereke’s conviction.

He said the Harare businessman’s reasons to appeal were not convincing.

Musakwa also said he found out that the evidence by Kereke’s witnesses was poor and clearly crafted in a bid to win the case.

The judge also ruled that Kereke’s witnesses did not help him at all.

“…Then there is the testimony of the two witnesses who did guard duties at the applicant’s other residence, 75 Walis road road, Mandara.

“These two witnesses, Taurai Bwanaisa and Norest Ndoro disowned certified extracts of an occurrence book they are supposed to have complied regarding the applicant’s movements.

“One wonders if they could not corroborate the occurrence book, how else could they have credibly supported the applicant’s movement alibi,” he said.

Musakwa said the issue about the pistol was also properly analysed.

“The surrender of the pistol to Mirirai Chiremba a few hours after the rape is no mere coincidence. It was badly choreographed incident that found no taker in an alert witness,” said the judge.

Kereke is said to have raped his minor relative at gun point 2011.