Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Reporter
A 39-year-old Bulawayo man appeared in court on Tuesday for allegedly raping and impregnating his 19-year-old step-daughter.
Bongani Zhou of Upper Rangemore, Umguza District, appeared before Western Commonage regional magistrate Mr Pasipanodya Maturure, facing a rape charge.
He was remanded in custody to Wednesday (November 19) for trial.
Prosecutor, Ms Christina Manyika told the court that, sometime in July on an unknown date the complainant visited her stepfather in the company of her young sister.
On the following day, at around 7PM, the complainant was bathing in another room when Zhou sent the complainant’s young sister to the shops.
The court heard that immediately the younger sister left for the shops, the accused person opened the room where the complainant was bathing, approached her, and closed the door using his hand.
He lifted the complainant, put her on bed and had unprotected sexual intercourse without her consent.
The matter came to light when the complainant’s mother discovered that she was pregnant.
A police report was made, leading to the arrest of the accused person. The complainant was referred to hospital for a medical examination.
