HARARE – Prosecutors on Thursday took an unusual step when they lifted their objections to bail being granted for a rape-accused musician who composed a praise song for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
‘ED Pfee’ singer Admire Sanyanga was denied bail on Wednesday when he appeared before Harare magistrate Rumbidzai Mugwagwa.
It is standard in rape cases for prosecutors to routinely object to bail being granted, and accused people are advised to apply to the High Court for bail by magistrates.
In a surprise move, however, prosecutors returned to court on Thursday before a different magistrate, Babra Mateko, this time saying they had no objections to bail being granted.
Prosecutor Sebastian Mutizirwa told Mateko that “the state has shifted position and is now consenting to the accused being admitted to bail.”
Mutizirwa did not explain why the State was changing its stance – but the episode will raise fresh fears of political meddling in Zimbabwe’s court system.
Sanyanga was released on $200 bail and remanded to September 6.
Sanyanga landed in the dock after he allegedly raped an 18-year-old housemaid who was employed at a Waterfalls home where the musician was receiving “spiritual healing”.
The incident allegedly occurred on July 30, 2019, at around 1PM when Sanyanga asked the alleged victim to assist him carry his luggage.
He allegedly raped her when they got to his rented flat.
The alleged rape was documented in the complainant’s diary which her employer stumbled upon and encouraged her to report the sex attack.
