Prominent Zimbabwean music producer, DJ Ribhe, of the Mbare-based Chillspot Records, appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa today facing a rape charge.
The 24-year-old producer, whose real name is Tafadzwa Mandaza, was not required to plead and was remanded in custody to allow for a bail application.
The prosecution, led by Mr Anesu Chirenje, outlined the details of the case. The alleged victim, a 14-year-old student at Eduvest Secondary School in Glen Norah A, where DJ Ribhe also resides, is at the centre of the allegations. The events leading to the alleged rape unfolded over several days, beginning with the alleged victim’s unexplained absences from school.
The State alleges that on October 16, 2024, at approximately 4pm, the young girl returned home from school. However, her father had already noticed her absence from classes for two consecutive days prior to this. This absence, and the subsequent events, form the basis of the accusations against DJ Ribhe.
The following day, around 10pm, the alleged victim visited DJ Ribhe’s residence in the company of others. From there, the group proceeded to Mashwede Village, a popular Harare entertainment spot. It was at this point that the alleged incident began to unfold. The prosecution contends that DJ Ribhe allegedly compelled the young woman to consume an unidentified substance and smoke shisha.
The alleged incident took a darker turn after the group left Mashwede Village. According to the State’s case, the group returned to DJ Ribhe’s home around 3am. It is alleged that the young girl awoke to find that DJ Ribhe had engaged in sexual intercourse with her without her consent. This alleged act of non-consensual sex forms the core of the rape charge against the producer.
The details presented by the prosecution paint a concerning picture of alleged coercion and abuse of power. The alleged victim’s absence from college, the alleged forced consumption of an unknown substance, and the alleged incident at DJ Ribhe’s home all contribute to the seriousness of the accusations.
The case against DJ Ribhe is still in its early stages, with the bail application yet to be heard. The court will need to carefully consider the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defence before making a decision on bail.
