Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Member of Parliament, Happymore Chidziva, who had been accused of raping his wife’s 16-year-old relative, was acquitted on Tuesday by Harare Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi.
Chidziva, widely known in opposition political circles as “Bvondo,” was arrested in September 2024 following allegations that he had sexually abused the minor on three occasions—twice at a local hotel and once at a lodge in Waterfalls.
Prosecutors claimed that he had persuaded the girl to believe he would secure employment for her before coercing her into sexual activity.
At one point, it was alleged that he assured the minor he could secure overseas employment for her and “change her life.”
However, following a full trial, Magistrate Rwodzi ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove its case, leading to Chidziva’s acquittal.
The court further determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish that Chidziva had attempted to arrange employment for the complainant.
During the trial, the court heard that in April 2024, Chidziva had contacted the complainant and arranged to meet her at the ZANU PF Headquarters traffic lights before picking her up.
It was alleged that he informed the girl that his vehicle had broken down and subsequently drove her to a hotel in Harare’s central business district, where he purportedly requested sexual intercourse. The complainant allegedly refused, saying she was not ready.
The prosecution claimed that Chidziva then took the girl to a hotel room, where he allegedly raped her without protection and later gave her US$25.
The following morning, he reportedly sent her a message instructing her to purchase morning-after pills using the money he had given her. Her cousin, who was holding her phone at the time, reportedly saw the message.
In July 2024, the complainant allegedly informed her aunt that Chidziva had secured employment for her in Marimba as a domestic worker.
Later that same day, he reportedly took her to a guesthouse in Waterfalls, where he allegedly raped her again.
Following the alleged incidents, the teenager did not return home but instead stayed in Ushewokunze with her friend and her parents.
It was further alleged that on 9 August 2024, around 5 PM, Chidziva contacted the teenager while she was in town and requested to meet at Cresta Lodge in Masasa. She reportedly hired a taxi to Cresta Lodge, where she met him.
After entering a room, Chidziva allegedly left and returned around midnight, at which point he is said to have requested sexual intercourse.
When she refused, citing fatigue, prosecutors alleged that Chidziva pleaded with the girl, promising employment opportunities outside Zimbabwe. She then reportedly complied.
The complainant later returned to Ushewokunze, where she was allegedly expelled from her friend’s home for failing to return the previous night.
She subsequently went to stay with her cousin in Budiriro 1, though her aunt had already reported her as missing to Budiriro Police Station.
Eventually, the complainant presented herself to the police, narrating her ordeal, which led to Chidziva’s arrest.
More: ZimLive
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