HARARE – A Harare court has been presented with harrowing details of an alleged gang rape that took place at a birthday party in Glen View 7 earlier this year. The trial, which opened last week, saw the State call four witnesses to testify against the four accused men.
The alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl, recounted the events of February 24th, the day she claims she was sexually assaulted. She told the court that she and a friend who is also a minor had left their home around 10am to attend a birthday party in the Glen View suburb.
The young girl stated that her friend offered her a Bally House drink, which she consumed, and soon after began to feel dizzy. She claims that accused number 3, one of the four boys on trial, carried her into a spare bedroom and placed her on the bed before leaving the room.
The court heard that accused number 3 returned to the room shortly after, this time accompanied by Tapiwanashe Marufu. The little girl alleges that Marufu undressed her and, despite her attempts to scream, he silenced her by covering her mouth with his hand. Both teenagers then allegedly raped her once before she passed out.
The State’s case further alleges that the complainant’s friend witnessed Tapiwa Mlambo and accused number 4 taking turns to rape her friend while she was unconscious.
The girl’s ordeal was finally brought to an end when two minors, Bruce and Raphael, discovered the accused men in the room and intervened, forcing them to leave.
The complainant awoke around 6pm and was informed by her friend that she had been raped. She was taken home and reported the incident to her sister, who then contacted the police. The four teenage boys were subsequently arrested.
The trial has been met with shock and outrage from Glen View, with many calling for justice for the victim. The court heard graphic details of the alleged assault, highlighting the brutality and trauma inflicted upon the woman.
The accused teenagers, Tapiwanashe Marufu (19), Tapiwa Mlambo (18), and two other boys aged 16 and 14, have denied the charges against them. The case is being presided over by Harare regional magistrate Mr Taurai Manuwere.
The court proceedings have been tense and emotional, with the victim’s testimony painting a disturbing picture of the alleged events. The State is presenting evidence to prove that the accused men acted in concert to commit the crime, while the defence team is attempting to discredit the victim’s account.
The trial is expected to conclude this Friday, with the magistrate delivering his judgement.
