Former VP Mphoko's Son Remanded In Custody Over Rape
Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s son Siqokoqela was Thursday remanded in custody when he appeared at Bulawayo magistrates court facing allegations of raping his 12-year-old niece as well as escaping from lawful custody following his arrest on Tuesday.
Mphoko (44) appeared before Regional Magistrate Mark Dzira and he was remanded in custody.
He will return to court on September 15, 2022, for court proceedings, according to the Sunday News.
Accusations:
Prosecutor Mr Acumen Khupe who was representing the state alleges that sometime from May to August 2022, Mphoko unlawfully and intentionally had sexual intercourse with his niece aged 12 years (name withheld) thrice without her consent knowing that she had not consented to it or realising the real risk or possibility that she might not have consented to it.
Mphoko is also charged with escaping from lawful custody.
The court heard through prosecutor Khuphe that on 30 August 2022, at around 1630 hours and at ZRP Hillside Charge Office, Mphoko was arrested and brought to the charge office for the crime of rape by Assistant Inspector Admire Donha.
Whilst in the charge office he was booked for detention under ZRP Hillside detention book reference number 284/22 and he had signed for his belongings for detention. Said Mr Khupe:
The accused person requested to get his medication from his motor vehicle which was parked outside the charge office, before he could be taken to the police cells for detention. The accused person was escorted by Constable Chimuka to his motor vehicle, he however jumped into his vehicle and he sped off to unknown destination.
He denies the allegations:
Siqokoqela Mphoko who was represented by Mr Thabekhulu Dube of Ncube and Partners Legal Practitioners later surrendered himself to the police saying he had fled from the police station “because I felt that there was no fairness in my case. I felt that things were not done properly and I felt that there was a hand behind it that is not Government.”
He said he was back because he had faith in the judiciary system.
