Glen View South MP Happymore Chidziva Acquitted of Rape Charges

Happymore Chidziva, a CCC MP, was acquitted of rape charges involving a 16-year-old relative of his wife. The Harare magistrate determined that the prosecution failed to prove the case against him. Allegations included coercion, money offered post-assault, and subsequent attempts to manipulate the complainant, but the evidence was deemed insufficient for conviction.

HARARE – A significant legal ruling emerged on Tuesday as Happymore Chidziva, a Member of Parliament representing Glen View South under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), was acquitted of rape charges involving a 16-year-old girl. Chidziva had been arrested last September after being accused of assaulting a relative of his wife. Magistrate Letwin Rwodzi stated that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) failed to substantiate allegations against him.

The charges stemmed from an incident claimed to have occurred in April 2024. Prosecutors alleged that Chidziva met the complainant at the Zanu PF Headquarters traffic lights, where he picked her up after she had waited for five hours. The alleged victim expressed a desire to go home, but Chidziva purportedly insisted she accompany him to Jameson Hotel, citing car troubles.

Once at the hotel, prosecutors argued that Chidziva coerced the girl into sex, which she resisted initially. It was alleged that the MP offered her money—specifically, US$25—immediately following the incident. According to the prosecution, Chidziva sent a message to the complainant the next morning, instructing her to purchase morning-after pills with the provided money while she was with her cousin.

The case took a further turn when, in July 2024, the complainant reportedly informed her aunt about a supposed job opportunity with Chidziva. On that same day, the allegations continued that he took her to a guesthouse, where he again raped her across a span of two nights. Following her time there, the girl did not return home but instead stayed with a friend in Ushewekunze and later with her cousin amid growing concerns from her family.

On August 9, 2024, the court heard Chidziva contacted the teenager again, directing her to meet him at Cresta Lodge in Masasa around 5 PM. During this meeting, it was alleged that he persisted, despite her fatigue and refusal, promising her a job abroad to manipulate her compliance. Following this ordeal, she faced rejection from her friend’s mother and was subsequently reported missing by her family.

The complainant later approached police with allegations against Chidziva, prompting an investigation that led to his arrest. In light of the evidence presented, the magistrate concluded that the prosecution did not prove the case against the MP beyond a reasonable doubt, leading to his acquittal.
This case highlights ongoing challenges within the legal system regarding the prosecution of sexual assault cases and the significant societal implications they bear.

Happymore Chidziva’s acquittal sheds light on the complexities surrounding sexual assault allegations and the legal process in Zimbabwe. Despite serious claims of misconduct, the lack of sufficient evidence led to his release. This case underscores the ongoing struggles for justice in such sensitive matters, leaving questions about the protection and rights of vulnerable individuals within a legal framework that often does not favor them.

Original Source: www.zimlive.com