THE trial of three Gweru women charged with sex attacks on nearly two dozen hitch hikers was further put back on Thursday, drawing fire from defence lawyers who say prosecutors have a weak case.
Harare magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini granted a request by investigators for more time as they await results of DNA analysis of semen found in some of the 33 condoms seized from the women when they were arrested.
Sophie Tendai Nhokwara, Netsai Monica Nhokwara and Rosemary Chakwirira were charged with 17 counts of aggravated indecent assault in October last year.
Their alleged male accomplice, Thulani Ngwenya, 24, is also charged.
Prosecutors say the women targeted 17 men who were offered lifts separately, then drugged before being forced to be intimate with the trio.
The male victims’ semen was then harvested for ritualistic purposes.
All 17 victims identified so far positively identified the suspects during an identity parade, investigators claimed last year.
Defence lawyers say they are yet to be given the completed police docket containing results of the DNA testing on the semen which investigators are trying to link to some of the male victims.
Zimbabwean police have no equipment for DNA analysis and rely on their South African counterparts.
After the magistrate postponed the start of the trial to next Monday, defence lawyer Dumisani Mtombeni said he may be forced to petition the High Court to have the charges thrown out.