A Bulawayo businessman is facing rape charges after allegedly repeatedly sexually assaulting his maid, a 27-year-old woman with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Mild Intellectual Disability, leading to her pregnancy.
The 57-year-old foreign national, who operates shops in the city and resides in the Kumalo suburb, is set to appear before a regional magistrate. The case, which was initially scheduled for June, was postponed to allow for a psychiatric evaluation of the victim. The doctor’s report confirmed the victim’s diagnosis and concluded that she is incapable of giving consent to sexual activity.
Adding another layer of complexity to this disturbing case, the businessman’s son was also accused of raping the same victim. While he has since been acquitted, the victim’s family remains dissatisfied with the court’s decision and plans to appeal. They argue that the victim’s condition renders her unable to consent to sex, invalidating any claim of consensual activity.
The uncle of the victim stated, “We are not happy about the decision which was arrived at by the courts to acquit him because he also sexually attacked her, because she cannot consent to sex because of her condition. We are going to engage a lawyer to appeal.”
The alleged abuse by the businessman began when he allegedly entered the victim’s unlocked bedroom and sexually assaulted her. This reportedly became a recurring pattern, with the businessman allegedly sneaking into her room weekly at night and sometimes even calling her to his bedroom during the day to assault her. The victim, fearing the loss of her job, felt unable to resist or report the abuse.
A source close to the case revealed, “When he discovered that she was pregnant he terminated her employment contract. She returned to her home and later gave birth.”
Following the birth of the child, the victim’s family confronted the businessman about his alleged paternity and requested that he pay maintenance. He initially denied responsibility and refused to provide support.
Despite the DNA evidence, the businessman’s legal journey has been marked by delays and complications. He was brought before Bulawayo magistrate Nomagugu Maphosa for failing to pay maintenance, but the case was temporarily adjourned due to his claimed inability to understand or speak English fluently. He was instructed to find an interpreter.
A relative of the victim confirmed that after this court appearance, the businessman resumed paying maintenance, albeit an amount the family considers insufficient: “Now he is paying US$60 per month towards the child’s upkeep. But the money is not enough because there are a lot of basic needs for the upkeep of the child. We will apply for a review upwards.”
When contacted for comment, the businessman vehemently denied the rape allegations, claiming, “I never raped her. Those people want to extort money from me.”
This case highlights the vulnerability of domestic workers and the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities in seeking justice. The victim’s family’s determination to pursue legal action against both the businessman and his son demonstrates their commitment to holding the perpetrators accountable and ensuring the well-being of both the victim and her child.
