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Prince Madubeko Sibanda

Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
AN MP accused of drugging and raping a 17-year-old schoolgirl offered the teenager’s father $4,000 to cover up the crime, a court heard yesterday.
Binga North lawmaker Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC-T) – who was dressed smartly in a black suit and purple shirt – was charged with rape before Victoria Falls Magistrate Sharon Rosemani.
Sibanda, 40, of Mkhosana Township in Victoria Falls, is a close friend of the girl’s father – a prominent MDC-T activist – prosecutors said as they opposed bail. Investigating officer, Elizabeth Zhou, of the police Victim Friendly Unit, told the court: “We’ve finished our investigations and the docket is complete, but we’re opposed to bail because Sibanda might interfere with our witnesses.

“He and the girl’s father were friends and he tried to pay $4,000 to the father so that the case would not be reported to the police. The girl’s father told me about the offer. We fear Sibanda might influence the father to change his mind.”

The MDC-T legislator presented himself to the police on Monday accompanied by his lawyer, Givemore Mivhiringi, who made a bail application yesterday.
Muvhiringi argued for bail, insisting the MP was a respectable man and recognisable figure who had no intention to flee, but Zhou said the seriousness of the crime was motivation enough for the MP to avoid trial. Neither the alleged victim nor her father were in court to see the MP charged, but a group made up of Sibanda’s wife, family, friends and MDC-T supporters filled the courtroom and others followed proceedings from outside.

Sibanda’s weeping mother had to be comforted outside the court building.
Prosecuting, Takunda Ndovorwi alleged that on November 12 last year, Sibanda gave a lift to the girl, who was doing Form 4 at a private college, in his Mac 2 car. They drove along Kazungula Road and he allegedly offered her a drink which she consumed but immediately became weak and dizzy.

He is alleged to have raped her once in the vehicle without a condom, and later begged her not to report him.