MDC Alliance (MDC-A) Member of Parliament for Budiriro, Costa Machingauta (45), has been arrested on rape charges.
Machingauta was arrested on Thursday on allegations of raping a woman he had given a lift into Harare’s central business district (CBD).
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the legislator’s arrest. He said:
It is confirmed that Costa Machingauta has been arrested in connection with a rape report made by a 26-year old woman he had given a lift into the CBD, then to Mabvuku and back into the CBD. The alleged rape happened in the CBD. The suspect is expected to appear in court soon.
Machingauta, who was represented by Tarisai Mutangi of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human rights, was arrested at Harare Central Police Station.
He also has a pending case of public violence for allegedly participating in protests staged over delays in the announcement of the results of the 2018 general elections.