CCC Gwanda North MP Desire Nkala Accused of Rape

By Staff Reporter

HARARE – Gwanda North Legislator, Desire Nkala has been accused of rape by a 37-year-old woman (name not provided). According to the police report filed on July 5 at Harare Central Police Station, the incident allegedly took place on May 8 at a lodge in Harare.

The woman told police that Nkala called her on May 5, thanking her for her work campaigning for him in the 2023 general elections. He allegedly invited her to meet in Harare on May 8, promising to take her shopping. The police memo states:

“The accused person took the complainant and drove his motor vehicle to an unknown lodge in Harare CBD. On the same day, around 7PM after eating dinner, they went to bed and talked until 10PM. The accused person started caressing the complainant all over her body. She tried to stop him, but he went on caressing her, forcibly taking off her clothes. The accused person then put on a condom and forcibly had sexual intercourse with the complainant once without her consent.”

The alleged victim claimed that Nkala left her crying in the lodge, telling her he was going to sleep at another lodge where he had booked for himself. She boarded a bus and returned to Gwanda the following morning, later narrating her experience to her sister and other family members.

Nkala responded to the allegations, saying: “I’m shocked at these allegations. I don’t know about any (accuser’s name), either during our campaign or any other period during the election. I never held any campaign activity with ladies, let alone inviting them for any meetings later on. This is a Zanu PF smear campaign to assassinate my character in the constituency. I’m yet to hear from the police and for now, I prefer not to say much.”