HARARE – Harare police have arrested a lawyer who is accused of raping a woman who sought his help to gain custody of her children in a dispute with her husband.

Tawanda Takaendesa, who works at a law firm in Eastlea, Harare, allegedly attacked the woman in January, according to an internal police memo seen by ZimLive.

The 31-year-old complainant did not report the alleged rape until April 14, she told police because “she was of the opinion that the accused would assist her until the case is finalised.”

The alleged victim told police that Takaendesa, who is set to appear in court soon, was known to her as a family friend.

Sometime in January, she had a row with her husband which led to her moving out to her parents’ home in Hatfield, leaving behind her two young children, one of them aged just one, after her husband demanded custody.

According to her police complaint, the woman said she called Takaendesa, who drove to pick her up and took her to their offices where the lawyer offered to take up her case without charge.

Police say the two then went and bought alcohol which they consumed and carried on the discussion about the case, during which “accused told complainant that he loved her… started kissing and caressing her against her will.”

He is alleged to have raped her after wearing a condom before driving her home. Takaendesa, it is alleged, apologised to her on the way and “complainant responded by not divulging the matter to anyone since she was of the opinion that the accused would assist her until the case is finalised.”

The police memo says she finally filed a report on April 14 this month, almost four months later, after she informed her husband and brother who “gave her courage”.

Takaendesa’s accuser was examined at Parirenyatwa Hospital, as part of the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, police in Bulawayo last Friday arrested prominent lawyer Mlweliwenkululeko Ncube, 38, who is accused of raping a client.

Prosecutors say the woman, an ex-girlfriend of the lawyer, went to his office on April 2 at around 12.30PM to collect papers related to her late husband’s estate.

Ncube told the woman he “felt like having sex” before raping her.

The lawyer, known for his eccentricity, will appear in court on May 7 for trial.