Harare, Zimbabwe | Musa Nyasha Dube Manyika, a former business development manager at Old Mutual, has been found guilty on two counts of rape involving a University of Zimbabwe student who was interning at the financial services company.
Manyika’s conviction was handed down yesterday, and he is scheduled to appear in court today for a pre-sentence hearing.
The verdict was delivered by Harare regional magistrate Estere Chivasa following a comprehensive trial. The victim, a University of Zimbabwe student, was a recipient of an Old Mutual Scholarship.
Prosecutor Chido Gohori presented evidence demonstrating that in November 2022, Manyika contacted the complainant via WhatsApp, requesting her assistance in packing banners at Old Mutual Gardens. He subsequently collected her from the University of Zimbabwe campus and drove to the Old Mutual premises. Upon their arrival, Manyika escorted the woman to his office, where the initial rape occurred. Following the incident, he apologized and provided her with Old Mutual branded merchandise, including a T-shirt, a juice bottle, and a cap. He then threatened the complainant, warning her against disclosing the incident, implying that her scholarship would be revoked if she did.
A second incident took place on June 19, 2024. Manyika contacted the student after work, ostensibly to discuss her career. The complainant met Manyika at Ashbrittle Shops. After their conversation, Manyika offered to drive her home. However, instead of stopping at her residence, he drove onto Belfast Road, made an immediate right turn, and then stopped the vehicle. He then adjusted the passenger seat, where the complainant was seated, removed her trousers, and raped her again. Afterward, he drove her home and sought her forgiveness.
Magistrate Chivasa concluded that the State had successfully proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
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