Kereke in court over rape
By Tarisai Machakaire
HARARE – Bikita West Zanu PF Member of Parliament Munyaradzi Kereke, accused of sexually molesting his wife’s two nieces, yesterday accused them of conspiring to frame him, a Harare court heard.
Kereke — who pleaded not guilty to the rape charge — said that he had been set up after a failed attempt to extort him.
The 43-year-old Rock Foundation Medical Centre founder appeared before Harare regional magistrate Noel Mupeiwa after the girls secured a private prosecution after the State had flatly refused to charge him.
Kereke argued that he was not present at the crime scene.
He was being represented by James Makiya and Nathaniel Chigoro.
“The delay in reporting these matters and inconsistencies in recording of statements exhibit that this was a mere fabrication,” Makiya said.
“…the first complainant’s guardian also sought to have the accused person obligated to pay her fees. The accused person was beyond the complainant’s reach because he was in the United States of America at the time that she was in Zimbabwe.”
Kereke also denied raping the second complainant and claimed he was at Rock Foundation during the said period.
The first complainant gave her evidence in camera because she was a minor. The complainants are nieces to Kereke’s wife, Patience Muswapadare.
Private prosecutor Charles Warara alleged that on an unknown date in March 2010, the first complainant had visited her aunt at Kereke’s Vainona residence.
Kereke reportedly sent his wife to the shopping centre to buy beer, the court heard.
The legislator allegedly took advantage of his wife’s absence and called the complainant from the swimming pool.
Kereke allegedly grabbed the minor and started kissing her before pushing her onto a nearby couch. He is said to have fondled the girl’s breasts, the court heard.
Kereke reportedly attempted to unzip his trousers but the girl screamed for help.
Immediately, one of the front doors was opened and Kereke jumped up and rushed to his bedroom, the court heard.
The complainant did not reveal the ordeal to anyone until August 23, 2010 when her younger sister confided in her that she had allegedly been raped by Kereke.
According to Warara, on August 20, 2010, the second complainant visited her aunt at Kereke’s residence.
The court heard that on August 22, around 3am, Kereke’s wife awoke the complainant asking her to baby-sit while she prepared food for her husband. The complainant proceeded to her aunt’s bedroom and played with the baby until he fell asleep.
She then retired to a couch in the bedroom and started watching television before Kereke came to join her. The court heard that Kereke began fondling the minor before producing a pistol and threatening her.
Kereke allegedly raped the minor and stopped after hearing footsteps. The minor managed to push him away, dressed and left for her bedroom. She later told the first complainant the following day, before advising other family members about the incident.
The matter was reported to the police on October 31 the same year and the complainant was medically examined at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals on November 1, 2010. Daily News
