Gweru CIO Operative granted bail amid serious allegations
n Gweru CIO Operative granted bail amid serious allegations n nn n By Dumisani Ndlovu n nn n GWERU – Gweru Central Intelligence Officer (CIO), Makopa Manyadze (45), who is facing grave allegations of raping his girlfriend’s 20-year-old maid
anostrofy Gweru CIO Operative granted bail amid serious allegations
By Dumisani Ndlovu
GWERU – Gweru Central Intelligence Officer (CIO), Makopa Manyadze (45), who is facing grave allegations of raping his girlfriend’s 20-year-old maid, has been granted bail by Gweru Regional Magistrate Christopher Maturure.
The State had strongly opposed the bail application, arguing that the severity of the charges warranted continued detention. However, Magistrate Maturure emphasized that the seriousness of a case alone does not disqualify an accused person from receiving bail. He ruled that no compelling evidence was presented to suggest that the accused was a flight risk or likely to interfere with witnesses.
Represented by Innocent Hore of Hore and Partners, Manyadze argued that he had voluntarily surrendered to the police upon learning of the investigation—an act that the State did not dispute. The court also noted that the accused has no passport and is therefore unlikely to flee the country.
“Handing oneself over to the authorities weighs in the accused’s favour. The court finds no sufficient grounds to deny him bail,” Magistrate Maturure stated.
As a result, Manyadze was granted US$200 bail with the conditions that he must continue residing at his current address, prohibited from interfering with State witnesses.He is to return to court on July 22, 2025, for the setting of a trial date.
The alleged incident occurred on Monday, June 23, 2025, at the residence of Manyadze’s girlfriend, where the complainant was employed.
According to court documents, the complainant, aged 20, was reportedly alone at the house when the accused arrived uninvited. Despite her protest that his visit was unnecessary, Manyadze allegedly gained entry into the house.
It is alleged that the accused forcibly grabbed the complainant, touched her inappropriately, and raped her after overpowering her. She later confided in her twin sister, who resides in Bulawayo, and the matter was subsequently reported to the police.
This case has sparked widespread concern within the Gweru community, particularly around issues of gender-based violence, abuse of authority, and the protection of vulnerable individuals in domestic settings.
