BULAWAYO – Siqokoqela Mphoko, the 44-year-old son of former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko was charged with three counts of rape during a court appearance in Bulawayo on Thursday.

Mphoko, of Derby Road in Hillside, was not asked to plead to charges of raping his 12-year-old niece on three occasions between July and August this year.

He appeared before regional magistrate Mark Dzira who remanded him in custody to September 15. He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

Mphoko was re-arrested on Wednesday, a day after he bolted from Hillside Police Station after fooling police officers into believing he was getting medication from his vehicle.

The National Prosecuting Authority, represented by Acumen Khupe, also charged Mphoko with escaping lawful custody.

Khupe said the NPA would tender a medical report as part of its evidence after Mphoko’s accuser underwent a medical examination.

On the first count, the court heard that on an unknown date but between July and August this year, and at Mphoko’s Hillside home, he “pushed the complainant to the bed and pressed her down” before raping her.

He allegedly raped her on two more occasions. On the first, he walked into the alleged victim’s bedroom and placed a piece of cloth over her mouth before raping her,

On the third incident, prosecutors say he threatened to suffocate her with a pillow if she screamed or shouted.

The alleged victim, the court heard, had been staying with Mphoko and his family since April. She moved out on August 29.

On his escape from police custody, the prosecution said Mphoko was arrested on August 30 and taken to Hillside Police Station at around 4.30PM.

The court heard that Assistant Inspector Admire Donha, the investigating officer, booked him for detention and the former Choppies director had signed a form with an inventory of his belongings when he asked to go and collect his medication from his vehicle which was parked outside.

“Upon reaching his vehicle he jumped in and sped off to an unknown destination,” the prosecution alleges.

Mphoko, wearing a black mask to cover his face, was cuffed to another prisoner as he was led into the holding cells at the Bulawayo Magistrates Court.

A witness said: “He was literally shaking, a ball of nerves. I asked him if her was feeling cold and he insisted he was fine.”