FORMER Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko’s son, Siqokoqela, was yesterday remanded in custody to September 15 when he appeared in court facing rape and escaping from lawful custody charges.
Mphoko (44) of Hillside, Bulawayo, was not asked to plead to the charges when he appeared before regional magistrate Mark Dzira.
Mphoko handed himself in at Hillside Police Station on Tuesday after the police called him on allegations of raping his 12-year-old niece.
He is alleged to have raped his niece, who has been staying with him between April and August 2022.
The child’s mother, who lives in South Africa, had arrived from the neighbouring country and visited Mphoko to see the child.
Mphoko reportedly told her that the child was at school doing extra lessons.
It is alleged that the mother went to see the child and later, a report was made to the police, leading to Mphoko being asked to report to the station.
On the second charge, it is alleged that while at Hillside Police Station, Mphoko signed for his belongings and detention before requesting to collect medication from his car which was parked outside, and was reportedly escorted to the car by a police officer.
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Upon reaching his car, he is alleged to have jumped in and sped off to an unknown destination.
He was later arrested and was brought to court yesterday on allegations of rape and escaping from lawful custody. Mphoko was represented by his lawyer Thabekhulu Dube.
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