Wednesday, July 15

THE principal of Ebenezer Academy in Harare’s Budiriro suburb, Kudakwashe Mawone, h

Prosper Dembedza-Onilne Correspondent

THE principal of Ebenezer Academy in Harare’s Budiriro suburb, Kudakwashe Mawone, has appeared in court on allegations of raping a 16-year-old student.

 

 

 

Mawone appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Letwin Rwodzi on Wednesday, who remanded him in custody to today for trial continuation.

The State, led by Mr Bleased Songozo, told the court that on June 13, Mawone and the complainant left for Mufakose High School for sports.

 

 

 

 

 

It is alleged that when they arrived, Mawone left the complainant in his car until all the sporting activities were over.

After the sporting activities, Mawone allegedly took the complainant to their school and parked in front of the reception.

The court heard that Mawone left the driver’s seat and proceeded to the back, where the complainant was and started removing her clothes.

It is alleged that the complainant tried to stop Mawone, but he overpowered her. The court heard that Mawone started raping the complainant, who then screamed for help.

 

 

 

 

 

A security guard, who was on duty, rushed to the scene to investigate, prompting Mawone to disembark from the car, and they started having a conversation.

 

 

 

 

After that, Mawone drove the complainant to her house. The matter came to light when Mawone called the complainant, who then mistakenly added her brother’s number, and he heard their conversation.

It is alleged that the complainant later narrated the incident to her pastor, leading to Mawone’s arrest.

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DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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DUI Defense Lawyer: Common Legal Defenses in Drunk Driving Cases

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A DUI arrest is not the same as a conviction. Prosecutors must prove the case, and the defense has the right to challenge the evidence.

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A DUI defense lawyer looks for legal, factual, and technical problems in the government’s case.

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Every DUI case is different. Some defenses focus on the traffic stop. Others focus on field sobriety tests, chemical testing, officer procedure, or whether the person was actually impaired.

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Defense 1: Illegal Traffic Stop

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Police usually need a legal reason to stop a driver.

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Possible stop reasons include:

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Speeding
rnSwerving
rnRunning a red light
rnExpired tag
rnEquipment violation
rnAccident investigation
rnReasonable suspicion of impaired driving

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If the stop was not legally justified, evidence gathered after the stop may be challenged.

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Defense 2: No Probable Cause for Arrest

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Even if the stop was legal, the officer must have enough evidence to make a DUI arrest.

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A lawyer may review:

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Driving behavior
rnOfficer observations
rnSpeech
rnBalance
rnOdor of alcohol
rnField sobriety tests
rnStatements
rnVideo evidence
rnMedical conditions

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If probable cause was weak, the arrest may be challenged.

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Defense 3: Field Sobriety Test Problems

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Field sobriety tests are not always reliable.

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A person may perform poorly because of:

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Medical conditions
rnAnxiety
rnFatigue
rnAge
rnInjury
rnPoor footwear
rnUneven ground
rnWeather
rnBad instructions
rnLanguage barriers

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A DUI lawyer may compare the officer’s report to body camera or dash camera video.

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Defense 4: Breath Test Issues

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Breath testing can be challenged if the machine or procedure was flawed.

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Potential issues include:

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Improper calibration
rnLack of maintenance
rnOfficer certification problems
rnMouth alcohol
rnVomiting or burping before test
rnMedical conditions
rnImproper observation period
rnRadio frequency interference claims
rnTesting outside required time windows

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A breath result is only as strong as the procedure behind it.

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Defense 5: Blood Test Problems

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Blood tests may be challenged based on:

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Improper blood draw
rnContamination
rnChain of custody
rnStorage problems
rnLab errors
rnFermentation
rnTesting delays
rnDocumentation gaps
rnQualified person requirements

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A lawyer may request lab records and review whether the sample was handled properly.

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Defense 6: Rising Blood Alcohol

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A rising blood alcohol defense argues that the person’s BAC was lower while driving and rose by the time of testing.

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This may be relevant when there is a delay between the stop and the chemical test.

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The defense depends on drinking timeline, food intake, body weight, test timing, and expert analysis.

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Defense 7: Medical Conditions

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Some medical conditions can affect DUI evidence.

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Examples may include:

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Diabetes
rnAcid reflux
rnNeurological disorders
rnBalance disorders
rnEye conditions
rnInjuries
rnFatigue
rnAnxiety
rnMedication side effects

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A medical issue does not automatically defeat a DUI charge, but it may explain certain observations.

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Defense 8: Not Actually Driving

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Some cases involve people found in parked vehicles.

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Legal issues may include:

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Was the person driving?
rnWas the engine on?
rnWhere were the keys?
rnWas the vehicle operable?
rnWas the person sleeping?
rnDid anyone witness driving?

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State laws vary on what counts as driving or actual physical control.

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Defense 9: Police Report vs. Video Evidence

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Police reports sometimes make a case look stronger than video shows.

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A DUI lawyer may review:

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Body camera footage
rnDash camera footage
rnBooking video
rnRoadside testing video
rnAudio recordings
rnJail observation video

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Video can confirm or contradict officer claims.

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Defense 10: Constitutional Violations

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A DUI case may involve constitutional issues such as:

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Unlawful stop
rnUnlawful search
rnImproper questioning
rnViolation of rights
rnImproper detention
rnLack of warrant where required

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A lawyer may file motions to suppress evidence if legal rights were violated.

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Final Thoughts

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A DUI defense lawyer does not rely on one-size-fits-all arguments. The defense depends on the evidence.

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Traffic stop, arrest procedure, field sobriety testing, chemical testing, video evidence, and constitutional issues all matter.

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If you are charged with DUI, get the evidence reviewed before deciding what to do next.

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Best Mortgage Refinance Companies for Homeowners With Equity

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Mortgage refinancing activity is rising again in 2026.

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Homeowners with strong equity positions are searching for ways to lower payments, reduce interest costs, or access cash for major expenses.

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But refinancing is not always automatically smart.

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The details matter.

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Why Homeowners Refinance

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People refinance for several reasons.

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These include:

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  • Lower interest rates
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  • Debt consolidation
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  • Home renovations
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  • Cash-out refinancing
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  • Shorter loan terms
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The right refinance strategy depends heavily on financial goals.

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What Lenders Evaluate

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Mortgage refinance companies usually review:

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  • Credit scores
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  • Home equity
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  • Debt-to-income ratios
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  • Employment history
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  • Property value
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Borrowers with strong equity often qualify for better rates.

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Risks of Refinancing

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Refinancing can create problems if borrowers ignore:

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  • Closing costs
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  • Extended loan terms
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  • Adjustable-rate risks
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  • Reduced home equity
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Lower monthly payments do not always mean lower long-term costs.

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Final Takeaway

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The best mortgage refinance companies help borrowers balance interest savings, long-term financial goals, and loan flexibility.

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A refinance should improve financial stability instead of creating new debt pressure.

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FAQ

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What credit score is needed to refinance?

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Requirements vary, though stronger credit usually improves rates.

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Is refinancing worth it in 2026?

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It depends on interest rates, equity levels, and long-term financial goals.

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