Gweru CIO Operative Acquitted in High- Profile Rape Case

By Dumisani Ndlovu

GWERU – Central Intelligence Officer (CIO) Makopa Manyadze (45), who had been facing grave allegations of raping his girlfriend’s 20-year-old maid, was today acquitted by Gweru Regional Magistrate Christopher Maturure.
The judgment cited that prosecution did not present enough evidence to establish a legally sufficient case against the accuse.
In delivering his verdict, Magistrate Maturure stated that “The State failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused to warrant the conviction”.
He further elaborated that both the state and the witness's cases were discredited.
“Surprisingly, after the purported rape case, the complainant and the accused communicated without any problem. The Magistrate noted it was not possible for a victim to communicate, with the perpetrator in such a manner, referencing a reported twenty-minute phone conversation post-incident.
The court also considered that Manyadze's visits to the residence were not unusual, even in the absence of his girlfriend, discrediting the notion that his presence was unexpected. Furthermore, it was revealed that the complainant's employer (Manyadze’s girl friend) who was only mentioned as the victim’s mother, rather than the alleged adult victim herself, had initiated the complaint, which also weighed against the state's case.
Manyadze had been accused of forcibly gaining entry into the house on Monday, June 23, 2025, where the complainant was employed. According to initial court documents, he allegedly overpowered her, touched her inappropriately, and raped her. The matter was subsequently reported to the police after the complainant confided in her twin sister.
The acquittal follows Manyadze's previous grant of US$200 bail by the same magistrate, despite strong opposition from the State.
Manyadze, was represented by Innocent Hore of Hore and Partners.