adminGwanda Correspondent
THE woman accusing the Matabeleland South Provincial Agricultural Extension (Agritex) Officer Bernard Sibanda, 57, of sexually harassing her, on Tuesday wept in court when her boss appeared before a Gwanda magistrate.
The woman, 38, who was seated outside the courtroom, wept when the magistrate Sheila Nzombe called her into the courtroom to advise her of the trial date.
She silently cried, with tears seen falling down her cheeks and struggled to control herself as she continuously wiped them away.
The trial could not take off yesterday as the lawyer representing Sibanda, Gallen Masiye Moyo of Gallen Masiye Moyo Legal Practitioners sought a postponement to a date after the Christmas holiday.
Moyo said the matter would be handed over to another lawyer as they sought the services of an advocate.
“The law firms are likely to be off in the next two weeks and we therefore need time to get an advocate,” he said.
The prosecutor, Mncedisi Dube served Moyo with State papers regarding the matter and indicated that the State was ready for trial.
He said on January 6, 2014 the State did not expect further excuses from the defence for the start of the trial.
Sibanda is facing charges of indecent assault after being dragged to court by his subordinate, who operates in the countryside.
The court heard that on 27 July this year, Sibanda called the complainant to his office where upon arrival he locked the door and ordered her to sit on the sofa in his office and she complied.
It is said that Sibanda sat next to her and asked to have sexual intercourse with her but she refused.
However, when the complainant tried to get up from the sofa, Sibanda allegedly grabbed her on her waist and she fell on his lap. Sibanda reportedly unzipped his trousers and removed his organ, the court heard.
Upon seeing that, the complainant held her skirt tightly.
The court heard that Sibanda begged for sexual favours but was unlucky as the complainant did not give in until he unlocked the door and she went away.
She reported the matter to her immediate boss, the Gwanda District Agritex officer Ben Mashologwana and proceeded to the police leading to the arrest of Sibanda last week on Monday.
Online Reporter