SMILE SHADDIE, YOU’RE NOW AN INNOCENT MAN
MIGHTY Warriors head coach, Shadreck Mlauzi, can finally have some peace of mind after he was acquitted of molesting the team’s fitness trainer, Brenda Chaora.
Magistrate Ethel Rutendo Chichera ruled that Chaora was a poor witness, with her testimony being plagued by inconsistencies.
Mlauzi was accused of indecent assault and assault, after allegedly touching Chaora’s thighs and buttocks and attempting to kiss her on two occasions at the team’s camp in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Mlauzi claimed that he had a virtual relationship with Chaora, and denied the allegations, stating that she was being used to jeopardise his position.
In her ruling, magistrate Chichera stated that the evidence in the case should be treated with caution, as it was the word of the accused versus that of the complainant.
She also noted the material differences in all Chaora’s versions of events, and suggested that there was a probability that the case could have been fabricated.
The magistrate further referred to WhatsApp messages produced in court which showed that the parties were flirting on October 5 after the alleged assault.
“The State alleged that Chaora was grabbed by the shoulder and dragged towards him for the kiss; in court she said he dragged her by the neck and tried to kiss her.
“On 7 October, in her report to the safeguarding officer, she said he just asked for a kiss and she refused and left the room and never mentioned anything about a physical encounter.
“That’s why when she was asked in court, the safeguarding officer said she knew nothing about her being dragged for the kiss,” said magistrate Chichera in her ruling.
She added that there were material differences in the versions that Chaora gave to the court.
“She introduced a new issue of being dragged in court and left the court wondering why she would have inconsistencies on such an important issue.
“There’s nothing to suggest she was assaulted on the day in question.
“She brought up two inconsistent statements; there’s a change whenever she speaks about the issue, not much time has passed and she can’t attribute those differences to the lapse of time.”