HARARE – Chillspot Records producer Tafadzwa ‘DJ Ribhe’ Mandaza has pleaded not guilty to rape charges, vehemently denying that he had any sexual contact with the 14-year-old girl accusing him of the crime. The trial opened in Harare yesterday, with the producer refuting all allegations of drugging and raping the teenager.
DJ Ribhe, represented by his lawyer Stephen Chikotora, told the court that the State’s claims of him spiking the complainant’s drinks to induce intoxication were false. He maintained that he was at work as a disc jockey at Mashwede Village on the night in question.
The producer stated that the teenager was in the company of others, including a man named Courage and another woman. He suggested that if the teenager had any sexual activity that day, it was with someone else, not him. “She was with someone called Courage, and another lady and, if she had any sexual activity on the day, it was with someone else and not with me,” DJ Ribhe told the court.
The allegations against DJ Ribhe centre around events that allegedly unfolded on October 16, 2024. The State claims that the Form Two student, who resides in the same neighbourhood as DJ Ribhe, did not return home after school that day. When her father inquired at the school, he was informed that she had been absent for two days prior.
The following day, around 10pm, the teenager allegedly visited DJ Ribhe’s home with other individuals, who are not named in the State’s papers. The group then proceeded to Mashwede Village, a popular entertainment venue, at approximately 10pm.
The State alleges that DJ Ribhe manipulated the minor into consuming an unknown substance and smoking shisha at Mashwede Village. Later that night, the State claims DJ Ribhe took the girl to his home, where she allegedly regained consciousness the next day.
It is alleged that when she awoke, she realised that DJ Ribhe had engaged in sexual intercourse with her without her consent. This alleged act forms the basis of the rape charge against the producer.
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 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.
Ephraim Zinyandu appeared for the State. The trial continues, with the court set to hear further evidence and arguments in the case.
