daniel chigunwe
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
The State has withdrawn rape charges against Australia-based Bright Ndinaani Nyanhete at the request of the complainant. The decision was confirmed in court on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old complainant said the allegations had brought disrepute to both her family and that of the accused.
She told the Magistrate Sandra Mupindu that the widespread media coverage, including on social media, had caused her significant distress and depression.
Magistrate Mupindu acknowledged the withdrawal of the charges.
The initial allegations claimed that the complainant met Nyanhete through her sister, who also resides in Australia, in September of this year. Nyanhete had asked for assistance in finding a woman to marry in Zimbabwe.
The complainant alleged that Nyanhete raped her on November 13 during his visit to Zimbabwe. However, Nyanhete denied the accusations in court, asserting that the complainant had fabricated the claims in an attempt to extort money from him.
