Harare – Musa Nyasha Dube Manyika, a 41-year-old senior manager at Old Mutual, appeared before Harare Magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa this week facing serious charges of rape.
Manyika, who holds the position of Business Development Manager and also manages the Old Mutual Scholarship programme, was granted bail and the case has been remanded to January 15, 2025, for possible trial date allocation. The allegations against him are serious and have sent ripples through the local business community.
The State’s case hinges on two separate incidents involving a 23-year-old female student who was undertaking an attachment at Old Mutual. The first incident allegedly occurred in November 2022. According to the prosecution, Manyika contacted the complainant via WhatsApp, requesting her assistance in packing banners at Old Mutual Gardens.
Upon her arrival, the complainant proceeded to Manyika’s office, at which point, the State alleges, he locked the door from the inside. After completing the task of packing the banners, Manyika is accused of forcibly pushing the complainant onto a table before raping her.
This alleged act constitutes a serious violation, and the details are expected to be central to the prosecution’s case.
The second alleged incident took place significantly later, on June 19th of this year. The State alleges that Manyika again contacted the complainant, this time arranging a meeting at Ashbrittle Shops.
He then allegedly invited her into his car, where, according to the prosecution, he engaged in intimate acts without her consent. This second allegation further strengthens the State’s case and raises concerns about a pattern of behaviour.
