A ZVIMBA man, 45, denied raping his pregnant 20-year-old maid when his trial opened yesterday before Harare magistrate Ignatio Mhene, insisting that the two had consensual sexual intercourse.
Prosecutors allege that Clyford Jakata, who is unemployed, took advantage of his wife’s absence to rape the maid.
Speaking through his lawyer, Jakata argued that he did not force himself on the maid, but they were “lovers”.
In his defence, Jakata claims that the maid is now raising the rape allegations as part of scheme with her brother to extort money from him.
“I employed the maid and later had sexual intercourse with her, but did not force her,” Jakata argued.
“I did not rape the complainant, but she was just trying to extort money from me.”
Jakata also believes that the medical examination conducted on the maid exonerates him since there were no signs of forced penetration.
Prosecutor Shepherd Kudzanai Makonde alleges that on September 20, Jakata employed the victim as his maid at his place of residence.
Two days later, Jakata and the maid were left at home in the morning after his wife went to work.
While the maid was busy doing some chores, Jakata allegedly called her and asked for her phone number to which she complied.
On the following day, after his wife had left for work at around 8am, the maid went to the dining room where she bumped into Jakata.
The maid alleges that Jakata started making some weird movements towards her and he told her to relax.
After feeling uncomfortable with Jakata, the maid left and went into the children’s bedroom, but he followed her there as well and raped her.
The maid then phoned Jakata’s wife, who allegedly ignored the issue, prompting her to pack her bags before leaving for her brother’s home.
She informed her brother of what had transpired at Jakata’s house and he allegedly took her to the police to report the matter.
The police took the maid to the hospital where a medical examination revealed that she was six weeks pregnant and there were no signs of any forced penetration.
The trial will continue on December 15.
by
Shamaine Chirimujiri
STAFF WRITER