Bongani Ndlovu
Prosper Dembedza, Herald Correspondent
An 84-year-old Harare man has appeared in court on allegations of kidnapping and raping his neighbour’s four-year-old daughter.
Elias Murambiwa, together with his accomplice Tinotenda Mereki, were not asked to plead to charges of rape and kidnapping when they appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Lazini Ncube.
The two were advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
Allegations are that on 23 January 2026, the complainant’s mother left her daughter at Savanna Compound in Southlea Park, Harare, as she went to work.
When the woman returned at around 5:30pm, she noticed that her daughter was missing. Searches were conducted and the minor was found in Murambiwa’s house, with Mereki also present.
The court heard that the young girl was found sleeping on the floor, wearing Murambiwa’s shirt.
It is alleged that the two men sexually abused the minor.
The accused persons were arrested and led police to the recovery of the minor’s clothes.
Online Reporter