A ZIMBABWEAN man who stood trial for rape last month, only for a New Zealand jury to be unable to reach a verdict, will not face a second trial, the Invercargill District Court heard.

Munyaradzi Chikerema, 28, was the subject of a five-day trial that ended on August 13, accused of sexual violation by rape and sexual violation of a then-17-year-old woman, and the indecent assault of another, also 17, at Oreti Beach on the Foveaux Strait coast of Southland, on May 11 last year.

The trial ended with the jury finding him not guilty of sexual violation and unable to reach a verdict on the rape charge.

He was, however, found guilty of indecent assault.

Crown prosecutor Mary-Jane Thomas told Judge Jane Farish the Crown would not be proceeding with the rape charge and a second trial would not be required.

No reason was given by Thomas.

With the charge dismissed, Chikerema's lawyer Hugo Young filed a bail application.

Chikerema had spent the past six months in custody awaiting trial, which counted as time served, he said.

Judge Farish granted Chikerema bail to a Lower Hutt address but he will be required in Invercargill on September 23 for sentence on the indecent assault charge.