By-There were tense moments on Friday when tears ran down Chief Musarurwa’s cheeks and he rubbed them off using his hands as his attempted rape trial against a girl (14) entered its second day on Friday.
Chief Musarurwa born Enos Masakwa continuously shook his head as he sat in the dock and broke down as a young brother to the complainant, a little boy gave evidence in court.
The case was postponed to January 31, 2022.
The boy said he saw the chief’s official vehicle parked at a secluded place near his parents’ home on the day that his sister was nearly raped by the traditional leader. The marathon trial also attended by The Mirror ran from 9am to around 4pm.
None of the court officials including the Provincial Magistrate Batanai Madzingira raised any issue with the incident but it became the talking point after adjournment as people hotly debated the incident.

Chief Musarurwa is facing two cases of attempted rape after he allegedly fondled the complainant’s breasts and private parts. The first case allegedly happened inside the chief’s car and the other in his rural home.
Chief Musarurwa’s lawyer Norman Mugiya pointed out during cross examination of the complainant and her witnesses that the complainant’s evidence varied and was inconsistent. He said that the statement given to the Police was different from the one given to the Probation Officer Darlington Chigweshe and the court respectively.
Chigweshe however, said that such was normal with children and in particular when they give evidence in the presence of the accused as happened in the Friday trial. He said intimidation and fear can see children changing their statements.
The complainant’s father told the court that Chief Musarurwa gave him US$10 as an apology for fondling his daughter. That evidence was dismissed by the court.
Chief Musarurwa’s secretary also gave their evidence in court.

The state was represented by Prosecutor Corence Chimbadzwa.
It took a long time for the chief to be brought to court after the case was reported.

-Masvingo Mirror