Former VP Mphoko's Son Granted Bail Pending Appeal In Rape Case
Former Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko‘s son, Siqokoqela, who was serving a 20-year jail term for three counts of raping his 12-year-old niece and escaping lawful custody, has been granted ZWL$200k bail pending appeal by the Bulawayo High Court.
The State did not oppose the bail application, acknowledging that Mphoko has prospects of success on appeal against his conviction.
Mphoko’s legal representative, Thabekhulu Dube of Ncube and Partners, made the bail application.
Mphoko was convicted in early May and he filed an appeal against his 20-year jail sentence for three counts of rape and escaping lawful custody. The appeal was submitted to the High Court of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo by Siqokoqela’s lawyer, Mr Zibusiso Ncube. The appeal claims that the trial had numerous inconsistencies.
The sentence was imposed by Bulawayo Regional Magistrate, Mr Elijah Singano, who found Siqokoqela guilty of violating the law by raping, threatening and betraying the trust of the victim’s family. Each count attracted a 10-year jail term, and Magistrate Singano imposed an effective sentence of 20 years for all three counts because sentencing Mphoko to 30 years for each count would be too harsh. Siqokoqela was arrested in August last year and fled from police custody.
