It is alleged that Mugabe defiled girls aged 17 and 19, one of who he reportedly impregnated and attempted to give her crude abortion-enhancing substances.
Mugabe, the Great Lakes Voice editor, is co-accused with Emmanuel Rurangwa and Adolphe Byambu Karegeya, who are suspected of having got involved in the provision of drugs that would be used to terminate the foetus of the 19-year old girl.
They were brought in court around 10:30am.
Dressed in a navy blue suit, white shirt and black shoes, Mugabe was accompanied by his lawyer David Rugaza.
Journalists were prohibited from capturing photos and videos as they were not accredited, 48 hours before the court session.
Mugabe expressed concern that he has not yet got enough time to talk to his lawyer and read through the case file handed to court.
“I would like to ask for time to meet my lawyer and prepare my file. I would also like to request you that you may summon me after I have perused my file and allow me to meet my lawyer at any time,” Mugabe prayed to court.
Rugaza echoed his client’s remarks and asked that they be given enough time to prepare for the trial.
He said that he met his lawyer at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) after Mugabe was arrested. He added that due to lack of means, they last met in court.
Prosecutor said that in questioning him, Mugabe came unaccompanied thrice. The prosecutor asked him whether if given a chance next time, he could not invoke these difficulties to which he said all the problems were sorted out.
Meanwhile, the lawyers of Mugabe’s co-accused said they are ready for the trial if Mugabe wants to talk with his lawyer. However, the court did not take it into account and ruled that the hearing be postponed to October 2, 2018 at 8am.
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