MDC-T MP arrested for alleged rape

The MDC-T MP for Budiriro and the party’s deputy youth chairperson, Costa Machingauta, was on Friday arrested in Gweru for allegedly raping a Midlands State University student he had lured to his hotel room the previous night. 

According to state media reports the legislator was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gweru magistrate Mr Tendai Madanhire on Saturday facing rape charges. He was remanded in custody to June 20.

Mr Madanhire advised Machingauta to apply for bail at the High Court and the hearing is expected on Monday. Machingauta is reading for a Local Governance degree at MSU and was in Gweru for his end of semester examinations.

According to the State, on Thursday night, Machingauta invited the student to his hotel room where he allegedly demanded to have sex with her.

However, the court was told, the student turned him down and Machingauta allegedly then forced himself on the girl despite her attempts to ward him off.

The next morning the student reported the matter to the police in Gweru, leading to Machingauta’s arrest that same day.

Mr Calvin Guvheya appeared for the State, while Machingauta was represented by Machingauta and Tavenhave Legal Practitioners.