Vusumuzi Dube
Charity Chikara, Sunday News Reporter
A 20-year-old Makokoba man who bedded his under-age lover appeared in court last Wednesday facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a juvenile after her mother reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest.
Praise Ngwenya (20) appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Busani Sibanda and was convicted on his own plea of guilty for having sexual intercourse with a young person in contravention of section 70(1)(a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
For the offence the court noted that Ngwenya was a first offender and sentenced him to 10 months with six months suspended on condition that he performs 210 hours of community service, and four months suspended.
Through the prosecutor, Ms Portia Mashazhu the court heard that Ngwenya approached the juvenile sometime in May this year and proposed love and she agreed. It was also the State’s case that from June to November, the two lovebirds engaged in sexual activity before the mother discovered and decided to report Ngwenya to the police.
The juvenile revealed that the sexual activities they engaged in were consensual irrespective of the fact that she hadn’t reached the age of consent.
Ngwenya was warned by the magistrate not to make any contact with the complainant and to stay away from her at all costs.
Online Reporter