Mathew Masinge
CHILLSPOT Records producer DJ Ribhe, who is now close to clocking a month in remand custody, will have to stay longer behind bars after a High Court judge postponed his bid for freedom to next week.
The case, in which DJ Ribhe is facing charges of allegedly raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl, will now be heard on Tuesday.
DJ Ribhe, who has changed lawyers, made his first attempt for bail yesterday at the High Court.
Prosecutors applied for a postponement to allow finalisation of the pending investigations.
The music producer is also expected back at the Harare Magistrate’s Court for routine remand on the same day.
DJ Ribhe, who is now being represented by Rubaya and Chatambudza Legal Practitioners, has been in pre-trial incarceration since earlier this month.
Prosecutors are confident that they have a strong case against DJ Ribhe and the court is treating the case with the seriousness it deserves.
The State claims the music producer drugged his 14-year-old Form 2 victim before raping her.
The victim, who resides in the same neighbourhood as DJ Ribhe, had met him at his home before they proceeded to Mashwede Village in the company of other people.
It is the State’s case that at Mashwede, the DJ manipulated the minor into drinking an unknown substance and smoking shisha.
Later that night, DJ Ribhe took the girl to his home where prosecutors allege he raped her.
She only regained consciousness the next day.
The State alleges that when the girl woke up, she realised that DJ Ribhe has raped her.
The girl, who had been missing from home for two days, was later located by a search party.
Upon being questioned about her whereabouts, she revealed the abuse to her father.