By Panashe Karidzagundi
TWO Beitbridge residents, Takemore Ndou (17) and Khodani Ncube (18), have been acquitted of rape charge after the complainant failed to positively identify them during court proceedings.
The two appeared before Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Charity Maphosa facing charge of rape, an incident alleged to have occurred on November 11 2024, in Village 9 Chitulipasi, under Chief Matibe.
Prosecutor Mercy Nyathi, said the complainant female juvenile aged 14, was attacked while walking home from a local event along a secluded footpath.
The female juvenile is a grade 7 pupil from Chitulipasi primary school.
Nyathi said the female juvenile was in the company of her aunt, who reportedly fled during the incident.
A medical report was produced in court as part of the State’s evidence.
During trial, the female juvenile failed to positively identify the accused (Nkomo and Ncube) persons as the perpetrators of the alleged offence.
The court ruled that identification is a crucial element in criminal cases and found that the State could not prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Maphosa accordingly acquitted both accused persons.