Businessman Ismail Matinika denied raping his sister-in-law, saying that he had been in a romantic relationship with the complainant since 2020. He said that their relationship became strained this year after he discovered that the complainant was having another affair with a woman (lesbianism).
Matenyika allegedly began raping his sister-in-law in 2007 and later forced her to have two abortions. After being accused of committing the crime… The two began a 10-year relationship during which the complainant became pregnant three times.
Matinika (47) appeared before Harare Regional Magistrate, Mr Themba Kwanda, charged with two counts of rape and indecent assault.
The State alleges that sometime in 2007, around 7 a.m., the complainant, who was still a teenager, visited Matinika’s home during school vacation.
On one of the days she visited, the complainant’s sister and his wife went to Matineeka to pick up her children from school, leaving the accused and the complainant at home.
Matinika allegedly invited the complainant to his bedroom and told her that she was now his new wife introduced to him by her parents.
He then continued to force the complainant to perform oral sex and only released her when his wife returned home.
This allegedly happened on several occasions until 2011 and the complainant did not disclose this to anyone.
In the second count, the State alleges that sometime in 2011, at the complainant’s home in Waterfalls, the victim’s aunt asked the victim to take some food to Matinika who was in his room.
When she entered the room Matenika allegedly raped her and this continued until 2014 but initially the complainant did not disclose this to anyone.
When she became pregnant in the same year, she revealed her exposure to violence to her sister’s friend, who advised her to take some pills to end the pregnancy. The court heard in 2016, the complainant began working for Matyenyika at his restaurant and would take the complainant to various hostels and hotels where he would sexually assault her.
In 2018, the complainant became pregnant again and Matineka forced her to have an abortion. In 2022, the complainant became pregnant again as a result of the rape, this time choosing not to have an abortion and giving birth to a child who was adopted by the Ministry of Social Welfare before being transferred to the care of a foster parent.
After the baby was born, the complainant later told her story to her aunt, who tried to solve the problem before reporting Matinika to the police. Announce
