Holy Ten Seeks Removal From Remand Over Trial Delay

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare

Zimbabwean hip-hop musician Mukudzei Chitsama, popularly known as Holy Ten, has indicated that he will ask the court to refuse further remand if prosecutors fail to provide a trial date in his case involving allegations of raping a 14-year-old girl.

Chitsama’s lawyer, Admire Rubaya, told Harare regional magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on Tuesday, 20 October, that the defence would make the application at the next court appearance if the State remained unable to set a trial date. The State, represented by Lawrence Gangarahwe, requested a postponement to 5 November to allow investigations to be completed.

According to the prosecution’s outline, the alleged incident occurred on 20 July at about 3 pm after the teenager and a friend visited Avondale Shopping Centre, where Chitsama was recording music.

The girl was reportedly expected to appear in one of the musician’s videos. The two waited while the recording session continued, but the friend later left. Prosecutors allege that Chitsama subsequently took the teenager to a bed-and-breakfast establishment in Hatfield, where he was staying and working. The State alleges that he took her into his room, locked the door, and threatened to kill her if she did not comply with his demands.

Following the alleged incident, Chitsama is said to have asked another man to arrange an InDrive trip for the teenager. She was reportedly taken back to Avondale Shopping Centre, where she met the aunt with whom she was staying.

According to the prosecution, the girl initially told her aunt that she had been visiting a friend before later reporting the alleged rape. Her aunt then accompanied her to the police, leading to Chitsama’s arrest. The State further alleges that four other men linked to the case remain at large.

The proceedings are now expected to resume on 5 November, when the court will consider the matter following the State’s request for additional time to complete investigations. Chitsama remains accused in the case, and the allegations have yet to be tested at trial. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

 Holy Ten court case