Zimbabwe: Chillspot DJ in Rape Storm

POPULAR Chillspot producer Tafadzwa Mandaza, popularly known as DJ Ribhe, yesterday appeared in court accused of raping a 14-year-old girl after allegedly administering intoxicants to her.

Mandaza (32), who is represented by lawyer Dumisani Mthombeni, was not asked to plead and advised to apply for bail in the High Court.

The Harare Regional Magistrate, Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa, remanded him in custody until November 20.

The State alleged that the Form Two schoolgirl did not return home from school at around 4pm on October 16 after her father was told she had been absconding for two consecutive days.

The court heard she went to Mandaza’s house the next day at around 10pm in the company of some people. The group then went to Mashwede Village.

At Mashwede Village, Mandaza allegedly manipulated the girl into drinking an unknown substance and smoking shisha. On October 18, around 3 a.m., the two went to Mandaza’s home, where the girl regained consciousness the next day.

When the schoolgirl woke up, she realized that Mandaza had been intimate with her without her consent.

The following day, at around 9am, the schoolgirl was then located in Highfield, Harare, after a missing report was lodged with ZRP Glen Norah.

The rape allegations came to light on October 20 when the schoolgirl was interviewed by her father after being located.