Rape Victim Family To Challenge Phugeni's Acquittal
Suspended MDC-T spokesperson Khaliphani Phugeni may have another day in court after the family of a minor he allegedly raped announced that it will appeal his acquittal at the High Court.
Phugeni was acquitted at the Western Commonage Court in Bulawayo by magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondeze on Monday.
On Tuesday, Phugeni celebrated his acquittal for rape charges saying he is a good man and the charges were fabricated. He said:
The charges were fabricated, and that is what the magistrate said. It’s a great day for the Judiciary.
As a country, we must hang our heads in shame for allowing a good man to be charged based on false claims, with clear impunity and without any shred of evidence provided.
This was meant to tarnish my image, vandalise my political career beyond resuscitation but the people of Zimbabwe kept coming to my inbox to tell me how much they loved me.
There are rapists out there going for our children, and I hope that no child will be disbelieved when they report a genuine rape because of this sham accusation.
The mother of the alleged victim told NewsDay that the family met and resolved to appeal at the ruling at High Court.
She said she holds no beef against Phugeni, who she said has been a family friend for years.
She added that people are trivialising rape by claiming that the family wants to tarnish Phugeni’s political image.
