THREE women accused of raping male hitchhikers and harvesting their sperm for ritualistic purposes will stand trial on January 26 next year, a magistrate ruled on Tuesday.
Rosemary Chakwizira, 28, and sisters Sophie, 26, and Netsai Nhokwara, 24, had sought an earlier trial date but magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini turned down their application.
"One cannot safely conclude that January 26 is too far. It gives the accused persons adequate time to prepare their defence. The application is hereby dismissed," Jarabini said, ruling on a defence application made on Monday for a quick trial.
The three women, all from Gweru, face 17 counts of aggravated sexual assault, and their alleged male accomplice Thulani Ngwenya, 24, is charged with aiding and abetting the sex attacks.
All four suspects are out on US$300 bail.
Prosecutors say the four suspects were picked out by 17 victims at an identity parade, but defence lawyers say they are yet to have a sight of the evidence.
Prosecutor Tapiwa Kasema told defence lawyers Dumisani Mthombeni, Charles Nyika and Frank Hwenhira they were ready to disclose their evidence relating to the case to help them prepare their defence.
Mthombeni, the defence lead lawyer, told the court on Monday that his clients had been found guilty even before they stand trial after their arrests attracted international media attention.
The lawyer said the three women were itching to clear their names, arguing that pushing the trial back to January 26 was denying them justice.
He said: “The state has suddenly lost the zeal to prosecute them. When they were initially arrested, there was a lot of hype and the impression was that by end of October 2011 their trial would have been completed.
“This is a high-profile matter of national importance which needs to be given priority. The State only needs two weeks to prepare for trial and two months is too long.”
Investigators believe the three women – who were found with 33 used condoms including some with semen – are part of a nationwide syndicate which has caused terror on the highways.
Police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri said: "We have received reports from around the country from different towns and provinces, it's been happening on the highways.
"We are yet to find out the real reason why this is happening. We have heard speculation that it's linked to rituals."
Police say the women targeted male hitchhikers who were offered lifts, then drugged and later forced to be intimate with them sometimes at gunpoint. Their semen was collected in condoms.