The rape trial of Musa Nyasha Dube Manyika, a manager at a prominent property company, commenced yesterday in Harare. The case began with the complainant giving a detailed account of the alleged assaults.
Manyika has entered a plea of not guilty to two counts of rape before Harare regional magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni.
The accusations stem from his alleged abuse of a scholarship recipient — a student said to be benefiting from a programme aimed at supporting underprivileged learners.
In his testimony, Manyika denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the relationship between him and the complainant was consensual and based on mutual interest.
He refuted the first allegation, which dates back to November 2022, claiming it marked the beginning of what he described as a consensual relationship. He said the two met regularly in the Mt Pleasant area, including on the University of Zimbabwe campus.
The defendant also dismissed allegations that he used his position to manipulate the complainant by suggesting control over the scholarship programme. He denied ever threatening to withdraw her funding or promising marriage, stating he was already married and what occurred was an extramarital affair.
Regarding the second allegation from the previous year, Manyika told the court that any sexual encounters occurred voluntarily — specifically, twice in June in the complainant’s residence parking area and once on Belfast Close. All incidents reportedly took place in a vehicle.
He added that their ongoing communication, including exchanging money, chatting, and playing online games, did not reflect the behavior of someone who had been assaulted.
Manyika also claimed the rape accusations surfaced after the complainant allegedly committed a workplace violation at the same property firm where she was employed, which had led to disciplinary proceedings.
Prosecutor Chido Gohori, representing the State, led the complainant’s testimony. She told the court that Manyika raped her on two separate occasions and threatened her place in the scholarship programme. She also alleged that he transmitted a sexually transmitted infection to her.
The trial is scheduled to continue on April 23.
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