Hip-hop musician Mukudzei Chitsama, popularly known as Holy Ten, who is accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, has asked the court to remove him from remand if the state fails to provide a trial date.
His lawyer, Admire Rubaya, told Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on Tuesday, 20 October, that the defence will apply for refusal of further remand should prosecutors still be unable to set a trial date at the next appearance.
The state, represented by Lawrence Gangarahwe, requested a postponement to 5 November to allow investigations to be completed.
According to the state outline, the alleged incident happened at about 3 pm on 20 July after the teenager and a friend went to Avondale Shopping Centre, where Chitsama was recording music. The girl was expected to appear in one of his videos, and the two waited while he finished recording. The friend later left.
It is alleged that Chitsama then took the teenager to a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Hatfield where he was staying and working. Prosecutors allege he took her into his room, locked the door and threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demands.
After the alleged incident, he is said to have asked another man to arrange an InDrive trip for her. She was taken back to Avondale Shopping Centre, where she met the aunt she was staying with.
The state says the teenager first told her aunt she had been visiting a friend, before later reporting the alleged rape. Her aunt then accompanied her to the police, leading to Chitsama’s arrest.
Prosecutors say four other men allegedly linked to the case are still at large.
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