By Dex
A high school teacher broke down in tears while giving evidence before the Bulawayo Regional Court on Tuesday during the trial of a fellow teacher accused of raping her on two separate occasions.
The complainant became visibly distressed while being cross-examined, prompting the presiding regional magistrate, Ms Sobonginkosi Mkandla, to order that the courtroom be temporarily cleared before adjourning proceedings to allow the witness time to regain her composure.
The accused, whose identity cannot be disclosed in accordance with laws protecting the identity of alleged sexual offence victims, is facing two counts of rape. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Representing the accused, defence counsel Ms Constance Mathaba told the court that the alleged incidents were consensual, arguing that the accused and the complainant had been involved in a romantic relationship.
According to the defence, what began as a friendship gradually developed into an intimate relationship during which the pair allegedly shared affection and engaged in consensual sexual intercourse.
The defence further submitted that the complainant had informed the accused that she was married to a man living in South Africa, while the accused had allegedly disclosed that he was also in a relationship with the school's receptionist.
Ms Mathaba further argued that the complainant regularly invited the accused to her room and that the alleged sexual encounters were consensual. She also contended that the rape allegations only surfaced after a confrontation involving the accused's former girlfriend and the complainant, suggesting that the complaint was made in retaliation following that incident.
However, while testifying, the complainant rejected the defence's version of events, maintaining that she had never engaged in sexual intercourse and describing herself as a virgin.
She told the court that her religious beliefs prohibited sexual relations before marriage and insisted that she had never been sexually involved with anyone.
The complainant became emotional during cross-examination after defence counsel questioned her claim of virginity and referred to WhatsApp messages allegedly exchanged between her and the accused, including one in which she allegedly asked him to bring a condom.
The State, represented by prosecutor Ms Charmaine Mutapi, alleges that the offences occurred in August last year.
According to the prosecution, on 11 August the accused allegedly knocked on the complainant's window at her school quarters, claiming he wanted to collect an item. The complainant allegedly opened the door, allowed him inside and returned to bed, where the accused is alleged to have raped her before leaving for his own accommodation.
The court further heard that the accused allegedly returned the following morning at around 5 a.m., entered the complainant's room while she was asleep and sexually assaulted her again.
The incidents were subsequently reported to the police, leading to the accused's arrest.
The trial was postponed for continuation on 3 July 2026.
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