By Ziyah News Reporter
MUTARE – A public prosecutor and a lawyer have appeared in court facing charges of obstructing justice in a rape case involving a 13-year-old girl.
Public Prosecutor Timothy Katsande (34) and lawyer Benjamin Basikiti (35) are accused of conspiring to alter facts in the case by drafting and submitting a false Statement of Agreed Facts. The document suggested that the victim and the accused rapist were in a consensual relationship, contrary to evidence on record.
The alleged deception led the accused rapist to plead guilty to a lesser offence of sexual intercourse with a minor, resulting in a lighter 36-month sentence, part of which was suspended.
On September 4, 2025, the Mutare Magistrates’ Court dismissed the pair’s application for discharge at the close of the State’s case, ruling that they indeed had a case to answer.
The matter was remanded to September 12, 2025 for the defence case.
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe described tampering with justice in sexual abuse cases as a “grave betrayal of victims and society.”