Priest Escapes Rape Charge

By Tatenda Chitagu
The Newsday
July 9, 2012

http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2012-07-09-priest-escapes-rape-charge/

A Masvingo-based Roman Catholic priest Father John Dzeka last Friday heaved a sigh of relief after the court acquitted him on three counts of rape he was facing for lack of evidence.

Dzeka (35) was being charged with raping his 19-year-old maid. However, Masvingo regional magistrate Esther Muremba threw out the case, saying the State had failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Muremba said the complainant did not raise alarm or try to resist when she was allegedly raped on October 18 and 19, 2009. The court heard she only reported the matter a month later after being quizzed by another priest from the same church.

"The failure to try to resist or raise alarm, as well as make an involuntary report meant that it was consensual sex," ruled Muremba.

Dzeka's lawyer Collin Maboke told the court that if indeed the woman was abused, she should have informed other female Catholic Church members who were holding a meeting at the premises during that period.