A FORMER branch manager at a fast-food outlet in Harare allegedly commandeered a female subordinate into one of the rooms and raped her twice.
The suspect, Xolisani Gama (47), who is being represented by Tafadzwa Muvhami, denied the allegations when he appeared before regional magistrate Taurai Manuwere on Wednesday.
The matter was remanded to July 24.
During trial, Muvhami argued that his client did not rape the complainant, citing inconsistencies in the complaintant’s testimonies on the exact dates when she was sexually assaulted.
Muvhami alleged that the victim wanted to deceive the court.
The defence counsel said the circumstances which the victim was alleging were incorrect because the alleged place, date and time of when she was raped were not corresponding.
However, the complainant said she had forgotten the dates because of stress and trauma, resulting in her going for counselling.
The victim told the court that she was afraid of losing her job.
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However, the defence submitted that the accused person could have, instead, lost his job if she reported the case.
The defence team also alleged that the complainant once sent nude pictures to the accused person’s mobile phone.
The complainant claimed that three of her co-workers resigned after being sexually abused.
Prosecutor Nancy Chandakaona alleged that in the first count on November 22, 2022, the complainant was raped inside one of the restrooms, where they had gone to do an inspection.
On September 14, 2023, the complainant was allegedly raped again at the disability room during an inspection.
