T Freddy acquitted of rape, assault

HARARE televangelist Tapiwa Freddy, also known as T Freddy, was yesterday acquitted on two counts of raping and assaulting a radio presenter.

Magistrate Gloria Takundwa said the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against T Freddy, who is the Goodness and Mercy Ministries leader.

Takundwa said some witnesses, who testified in the matter, gave conflicting statements.

“She (complainant) did not mention that they were lovers, but said she was a church leader and a musician and that he was running a radio programme at her workplace,” Takundwa said.

“The complainant did not report the rape, but only did so after the accused reported her for extortion. There are no medical reports submitted, no injuries of struggling off the rapist and the State’s evidence is unreliable.”

The magistrate said on the second count of rape, there was not enough evidence.

“She did not report the incident and she did not mention this incident to her uncle and also at initial report at Harare Police Station. A statement to the police lacks details of how she was raped. The evidence falls short of convicting the accused.”

Takundwa further said the complainant also failed to submit medical reports to prove that she was assaulted by T Freddy at Moja shopping centre.

The rape allegations came after T Freddy reported the complainant for extortion.

The woman had claimed that T Freddy relentlessly pursued her after her husband died and then raped her at her Mount Pleasant Heights home sometime in November 2020.

The married preacher admitted during trial that he had an adulterous affair with his accuser.

He was represented in court by Everson Chatambudza, Jivas Mudimu and Malvern Mapako.