Through their lawyer Mr Tawanda Takaindisa of Bothwell Ndhlovu Attorneys, 3 artisanal gold miners from Battlefields, Kadoma, who were recorded on a viral video narrating how they ‘gang raped’ commercial sex workers, are arguing that the women are making up the rape charges in a bid to fix them for not paying and also claim that the allegations against them are a result of a dispute with soldiers over the sex workers. The trio makes the arguments in an application for bail at the High Court as reasons why they should be released from custody pending trial. The matter has been set down for November 3 before a High Court judge.
Romeo Chirara (18), Prince Chikomo (18), Admire Chirongoma (18) allege that their confessions were stage-managed since they were forced to make them on camera by the soldiers after being assaulted. They said the sex workers send soldiers to assault non-paying clients in exchange of sexual favours. The trio and their alleged accomplice Thabani Gazi (20) recently appeared before a Kadoma magistrate charged with several counts of rape and robbery and were remanded in custody. Gazi, who is currently serving a jail term on a different case, is not included in the bail application.
More: Herald
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