HARARE – Mighty Warriors head coach Shadreck Mlauzi was Wednesday freed on US$300 bail after court rejected his pleas not to be placed on remand over assault and indecent allegations on a female member of the technical team.
The football coach was arrested upon arrival at the Robert Mugabe International airport from South Africa where he led the Zimbabwe Senior Women’s football team to a COSAFA semi-final finish.
Mlauzi was Wednesday placed on remand and further ordered to return to court on October 27 for trial.
The Mighty Warriors boss is accused of molesting the female member of the technical team in Zimbabwe and in South Africa on separate occasions.
According to the State, on September 26, Mlauzi allegedly grabbed the female member on her shoulders and pulled her towards him in an attempt to kiss her without her consent.
She declined the advances.
The incident happened when the Mighty Warriors were camping at Pandhari Lodge in Glen Lorne, Harare during preparation for the Cosafa Women Championships which ended on Sunday.
Mlauzi’s second count emanates from an alleged incident in which both the coach and the woman were camped with the rest of the team in South Africa at Garden Court Hotel in which the coach allegedly instructed her to report to his room and massage him.
The next day, Mlauzi allegedly grabbed her improperly.
Again, she turned down his advances and went away.
When the coach appeared in court, he sought to have the charges quashed saying the Harare court had no jurisdiction over an incident that allegedly took place outside the country’s borders.
Through his lawyer, Kossam Ncube, Mlauzi opposed placement on remand pending trial.
Magistrate Yeukai Dzuda dismissed his objection saying he was facing charges of assault and indecent assault.
“The court is called upon to determine whether the harmful effects of the alleged crime were felt in Zimbabwe,” said Dzuda.
“The victim was representing the national interests of Zimbabwe in South Africa.
“It follows that the harmful effects of the alleged crime were felt by Zimbabwe. Accused’s plea of jurisdiction is dismissed.”
