In a stunning twist, the trial of a serial rapist, who had previously pleaded guilty to 29 counts of rape, unlawful entry, and armed robbery, took a dramatic turn when the accused displayed signs of apparent ‘mental illness.’ Issa Siyabu, also known as Issa Chakazama or Innocent Kajira, initially appeared before Harare regional magistrate Loice Mukunyadze on Wednesday, where he admitted his guilt on all charges.
However, during the subsequent pre-sentence hearing, as Siyabu was called to the dock, he suddenly erupted into screams and shouts, causing a commotion in the courtroom. Responding to his erratic behaviour, the prosecution made an application for Siyabu to undergo a mental examination by two doctors to assess his mental state.
Siyabu’s victims included notable businessmen and prominent figures such as Ronald Ajara, celebrity dentist Dr Anesu Musvosvi, former mayor Ben Manyenyeni, and Simbarashe Makomichi, executive manager at Better Brands. Despite his initial statement to the court, urging them not to bother reading the charges as he pleaded guilty to everything, including two counts of rape, five armed robberies, and 22 unlawful entries, Magistrate Mukunyadze insisted on the charges being read aloud for the sake of the court record.
The accused will return to court on February 29, where further proceedings will take place.
