Mushowe accused of rape

Charges of rape, sexual abuse and blackmail have been levelled at a senior member of Robert Mugabe's government by a group of underprivileged teenage girl students.

I can reveal that the man who the girls say attacked and abused them is the Minister of Transport and Communications, Christopher Mushowe (left). He denies all the allegations.

The girls are winners of a presidential scholarship set up by Robert Mugabe to benefit poor and vulnerable Zimbabwean children who show intellectual promise. Most become students at Fort Hare University in South Africa.

Mushowe is director of the scholarship fund, with responsibility for identifying young people who qualify for