T Freddy, rape accuser had a consensual sexual relationship: key state witness

A key state witness in the trial of Goodness and Mercy Ministries visionary and founder, Prophet T Freddy on rape accusations has told the court that there was nothing worth arresting the accused for when police officers were called to a meeting at Chief Chikwaka’s homestead because from the discussion it was clear that the duo was in a consensual sexual relationship.

Jaji told the court that during the said meeting, rape allegations were only mentioned by the chief as he gave his account of the events.

Chief Chikwaka narrated details of the case supposedly as told by the complainant who is his niece, that there were allegations of rape, assault, and emotional abuse. Thereafter the accused personally narrated the alleged emotional abuse and compromised relationship at her workplace.

 She did not in any way explicitly mention or explain the rape allegations, but only indicated that “what the chief had said was what transpired”.

In his statement, Chief Chikwaka had earlier said he called the police officers in order to arrest the accused once he had accepted the rape charges and apologized but according to Jaji, who boasts of 29 years of experience in the police force, “in order to effect an arrest there has to be reasonable suspicion that a crime was indeed committed”.

“…after the accused had made a U-turn upon arriving at Chief Chikwaka’s residence I phoned police details at the nearby roadblock to stop him since there were allegations of rape. We found the accused at the roadblock before proceeding back with him to the chief’s homestead.

“When we arrived back at the chief’s residence,  the accuser and the accused then requested that they deliberate on the issues in private before agreeing to resolve their differences amicably and that the accused was going to address the issue of his secretary’s alleged verbal insult of the complainant and (relationship) issue do with a ZBC manager. Both the complainant and the accused unanimously agreed to it in a written document which they signed before me.

“As a seasoned police officer, my assessment was that there was nothing worth arresting the accused for because in order to effect an arrest there has to be reasonable suspicion that a crime was indeed committed.

“Moreover, the complainant had also declined to officially report the matter but was willing to settle their differences with the accused amicably. I, however, advised the complainant to report to any police station if she was not at ease to make a formal report to us if she desired but she indicated that she was reluctant to make a formal report,” said Jaji in testimony.

“From the discussions, it was clear that they were in a sexual relationship. The rape issue was not discussed in the meeting,” he added.

The court also heard that Chief Chikwaka was disappointed with his niece as he expected her to narrate the alleged rape ordeal before the police officers for the accused to be arrested on the spot.

He was also said to be infuriated that his niece had engaged in a sexual relationship before the lapse of one year after the death of her husband.