ZBC manager up for rape

News
PROMINENT ZBC manager and radio announcer Simon Pashoma Ncube appeared at the Chivhu Magistrates Court charged with raping a 15-year-old girl

PROMINENT Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) manager and radio announcer Simon Pashoma Ncube (56) yesterday appeared at the Chivhu Magistrates Court charged with raping a 15-year-old girl at a local hotel in November last year. CHARLES LAITON SENIOR COURT REPORTER

Ncube (56), was remanded in custody to tomorrow for trial after his bail application was dismissed by resident magistrate Archie Wochiunga.

The Radio Zimbabwe announcer is being charged with one count of rape or alternatively having sexual intercourse with a minor.

According to the State case, the incident leading to Ncube’s incarceration occurred on November 8 last year after he allegedly made love proposals to the minor while at Nharira business centre.

Ncube was in the company of a friend and workmate identified as Clifford Makonese. Prosecutor Nicholas Mabvongodze submitted that after proposing love to the minor, Ncube and Makonese drove her to the hotel where they proceeded to a room which they had booked.

The State alleges that when Ncube and the girl entered the room, Makonese locked the door from outside and disappeared with the keys, leaving the girl at the mercy of the former DJ.

The court heard that Ncube tore the girl’s pair of skirt and panties and raped her once.

After the initial encounter, it is alleged, Ncube had sexual intercourse with the girl twice again during the same night. The court further heard, during the early hours of the following morning, Ncube contacted Makonese on his mobile phone who then unlocked the hotel room before giving the girl a blanket to cover herself.

Ncube’s luck reportedly ran out when the girl spilled the beans after being quizzed by her uncle and mother over where she had spent the night.

The parents later reported the matter to police, leading to Ncube’s arrest.