By Staff Reporter
A 64-year old Mbuyamaswa Primary School Head in Zaka recently appeared before Zaka Magistrate Grace Tupiri on rape charges allegedly after raping a 14-year-old form 2 leaner from nearby Mutevhure Secondary School.
The head, Alexander Gwara from Manhubvu Village, Chief Ndanga in Zaka was arrested on March 5, 2026, and is charged with rape as defined in Section 65(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
He was remanded in custody and is expected to appear at Chiredzi Regional Magistrate’s court on Wednesday 11 March 2026.
The state led by David Mavenga told the court that the incident occurred in November 2025 at around 1320 hours.
The complainant from Chief Nhema, Zaka, had left Mutevhure Secondary School to visit her younger brother at Mbuyamaswa Primary School, which is close to the school together with her friend.
The court heard that the complainant and her friend met Gwara in the schoolyard and he allegedly requested the two girls to fetch water from the nearest borehole, promising them US$2 for the job.
When the two returned with the water, Gwara gave them only one dollar, and told them to collect the balance the following day.
The following day at lunchtime, the complainant and her friend proceeded to the accused’s house at the cottages to collect the outstanding money. They found Gwara at his house, who handed over the dollar to the complainant’s friend.
It is alleged that the accused then told the complainant to enter the room, saying he wanted to give her a message to deliver to her mother, while leaving her friend standing outside.
When the complainant entered, Gwara allegedly closed the door and dragged her to his bedroom while covering her mouth with his right hand.
The court heard that the accused took a cloth and used it to cover the complainant’s mouth to prevent her from shouting.
He allegedly held her hands tightly before raping her once.
The matter came to light on March 2, 2026, when the complainant’s mother noticed her crying and scratching her privates at night.
When asked, the complainant told her mother that she was feeling pain in her genitalia and disclosed that she had been raped by the accused.
The complainant’s mother escorted her to report the matter to the police leading to the accused’s arrest on March 5.
