Zimbabwe: The magistrate of Harare – Esther Chichera, found the coach of the senior women’s football team not guilty of his crime. Coach Shadreck Mlauzi was charged with indecently assaulting a female team member.
As per the sources, Mlauzi was accused of trying to kiss the fitness trainer of the team – Brenda Chaora, during a training camp for the Cosafa Women’s Soccer Tournament in September 2023.
The coach was acquitted officially after the Harare magistrate found him not guilty. Chichera stated that the complainant was not a credible witness as she made inconsistent statements during and before the trial.
“The inconsistencies in the statements of the complainant discredited the case. The State has failed to prove the claims that were presented in the case against the accused person,” said the Magistrate.
Magistrate Chichera also mentioned that no element of truth was found in the testimony submitted by the complainant. She advised that evidence in such cases should be treated with caution because it would be the word of the complainant and that of the accused person.
Considering the same, Esther Chichera stated, “The complainant once said that the accused tried to grab her thighs, but she stepped back and then changed the place to goalposts, saying he touched her buttocks.”
In his defence, Shadreck Mlauzi told the court that he never violated the rights of the complainant in any way.
While telling the court, Mlauzi stated, “First and foremost, I can’t go to my parish priest and confess about something which I did not do.”
He added that he has been in women’s football for the past twenty-three years, and he has never violated anyone’s rights in any way.
While making the statement, Mlauzi also mentioned that he was born in a family where he lived with nine or more of his siblings who were women, but he never violated their rights or harmed them by any means.
Coach Mlauzi made a shocking revelation that he and the complainant had a virtual relationship, too. He told the court that the complainant used to talk with him on video calls and ask him for favours.
Mlauzi said that he was disappointed that she has put such charges on him and spoke so ill against him.
Reportedly, after the conflicting statements given by the complainant, the magistrate concluded that she was fabricating the allegations.
She said that upon looking at the WhatsApp messages, anybody can assume that they were flirting after the alleged offence. She also stated that the conduct was inconsistent with someone who was unhappy with how she was treated.
Magistrate also mentioned that it is the duty of the state to prove beyond reasonable doubts. “In my view, the State failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The complainant’s statement had inconsistencies,” added Chichera.
Before acquitting Mlauzi, Magistrate Chichera said that it became questionable as the act was changed allegedly. The complainant has shown herself not to be a credible witness.
Chichera added that not much time has passed since the incident occurred and this is the reason why there are such inconsistencies in the reports.