By STAFF WRITER
Goodness and Mercy Ministries Founder Prophet Tapiwa Freddy was on Thursday released on free bail after being arraigned before a Harare Magistrate facing allegations of raping a 33-year-old Harare woman.
Freddy, aged 39, was arrested this Wednesday on allegations of raping the woman after promising to assist her with the upkeep of her child.
He was represented by Everson Chatambudza and Malvern Mapako from Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners and Jivas Mudimu of Mudimu law Chambers.
Allegations are that in 2020, three months after the death of the complainant’s husband, Freddy proposed love to the woman who turned down the offer due to her traditional beliefs.
“The accused person (Freddy) invited the complainant to his workplace and gave her US$2 500 to ferry her husband to Karanda Hospital for medical attention. However, barely a week later, complainant’s husband died in hospital and the accused person offered assistance towards the burial,” the state said.
The court further heard that sometime in November last year, Freddy visited the complainant’s rural home to see her child.
It was the State’s case that soon after returning from the complainant’s rural home, Freddy raped her and forced the woman to consider him as her new husband, threatening to cast spiritual powers over her if she resisted.
It is also alleged that sometime in August this year, Freddy took the complainant to Moja Shopping Centre in Mbare where he physically abused the woman and nearly overran her after an argument.
The accused was remanded out of custody on free bail to the 6th of December for trial.
