Chief Fortune Charumbira, who has been reported for indecent assault by his married niece, has reportedly threatened to sue the complainant, claiming the charges were groundless.
Charumbira is the president of the Chiefs Council of Zimbabwe and also the president of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).
He is accusing his alleged victim of conniving with opposition CCC party members to fabricate charges against him after he failed to convince the complainant’s family to withdraw the charges.
The victim, who is a teacher at a school in Masvingo, reported the matter at Masvingo Central Police Station under RRB 5457646 on Saturday last week.
However, Charumbira has not yet been arrested.
In leaked WhatsApp chats seen by NewsDay, Charumbira told the victim’s father that he regretted that the incident occurred.
The traditional leader also pleaded with the victim’s father not to share the leaked audio in which he was soliciting a kiss from the 27-year-old niece.
However, Charumbira told NewsDay on Wednesday that he wanted to sue those who were raising the allegations, which he said were false. He said:
I actually want to sue those who are levelling those false allegations against me.
There is no element of truth in those allegations. I never spoke to them after the charges were filed against me.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi told NewsDay that police will release a statement on the matter in due course. He said:
We still stand by what we said earlier that we will release a statement in due course.
On allegations of threatening the victim, I will check with the Officer Commanding Masvingo.
According to leaked chats seen by NewsDay, Charumbira accused the victim of “maliciously” filing the charges against him. He said in the leaked chats:
I know you are working on documentation to go to Canada and run away from Zimbabwe after messing up my name with lies.
Do not run away. Ndakatosviba kare (my name was long soiled), let’s meet in court.
As a result of this attack on me, there is a lot of information between you, sekuru Foki and Gari which I know.
Ndavurawa image pasi rose nenhema kuti (My image has been tarnished worldwide through allegations that) I touched (your) private parts etc kidnapped etc. Whoom! Mwari ndewedu tese (God is for us all).
Vana (The likes of) Takanayi and other CCC members had several meetings with you to push this agenda.
I did not think you would agree to falsehoods against me to please them.
According to a leaked police memorandum, Charumbira allegedly sexually assaulted the complainant on two separate occasions.
He allegedly fondled the complainant’s breasts, kissed her without her consent, and groped her private parts.
The alleged assault took place at Rainbow Towers Hotel on 31 March this year and on 02 April at Crown Plaza Hotel, respectively.
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