Mwenezi Deputy Head Escapes Charges Of Raping Pupil

CHIREDZI - Noel Chirongo (41), a deputy head at Hebron High School in Mwenezi who was dragged to court on allegations of raping a Form 6 history student was in April acquitted of the charge.

No concrete evidence could be found against Chirongo, who is a member of Zion Christian Church.

The matter was before Chiredzi Magistrate Judith Zuyu.

The accused pleaded not guilty. The magistrate noted that the complainant was mature enough but she did not report the matter to her mother nor confide in any of her classmates when she was allegedly raped.

The magistrate also could not understand why the complaint failed to furnish Msasa Project, a voluntary organization that represents women with information.

It was the State case that on February 5, 2019 the accused waylaid the complainant at around 8:30pm outside the school premises as she was coming from study. The State alleged Chirongo grabbed her by the waist before forcing her to lie down and raped her.

The State also alleged Chirongo told the complainant to bath and never to divulge information to anyone.

The matter came to light on February 7, 2019 when the mother reported the case to the police after a self-claimed prophet ‘revealed’ the incident leading to Chirongo’s arrest.

Charles Ndlovu of Ndlovu practitioners represented Chirongo.

—Masvingo Mirror