Danisa Masuku, Court Reporter
A 50-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a 13-year-old girl.
Crispen Sithole appeared in court before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate, Ms Sibongile Marondedze, facing a rape charge.
Sithole was not legally represented and Ms Marondedze advised him of his legal right to apply for bail at the Bulawayo High Court, and to engage the services of a lawyer at his own cost.
The accused was not asked to plead and spoke only to confirm the allegations he was facing. He was remanded in custody until 23 October.
Prosecuting, Ms Karen Gundani, told the court that the complainant and the accused were in a relationship. The pair allegedly started the relationship on 5 September.
“On 5 September the accused met the complainant at a flat where the minor stays, and proposed love to her and she accepted. On the same day they had sexual intercourse,” the court heard.
The court heard that the minor would visit the accused at his home.
“The minor would report late for her Grade 7 public examination as she would delay leaving the accused’s home,” the court heard.
At one point during the night the mother of the complainant checked for her in her room and noticed that she was not at home. While she was on her way to the police station, the minor turned up. Her mother quizzed her, forcing her to disclose that she had spent the night at her boyfriend’s place. The mother reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.
