Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, [email protected]
THE trial a 53 year-old cross-border transporter in Beitbridge who allegedly sexually abused his 16-year-old daughter for three years resulting in the victim falling pregnant, is expected to continue on January 18.
The accused person’s wife who is aged 47 years, was last year jailed for an effective four years for trying to protect her husband after committing the alleged offence.
The offence came to light when the woman who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, tried to administer some medication to the girl to induce an abortion resulting in the victim falling ill.
The alleged rapist yesterday appeared before Beitbridge regional magistrate, Mr Innocent Bepura facing rape charges. He was remanded in custody to 18 January for the commencement of trial.
The victim is from the man’s first marriage. Upon realising that the complainant had fallen pregnant, he is alleged to have connived with his new wife to induce an abortion on the victim.
Prosecuting, Ms Tsitsi Mtukwa said on December 3 this year, the girl’s stepmother discovered that the victim was pregnant after she was allegedly raped by her father.
The court heard that the woman connived with her husband and they bought some medication to terminate the pregnancy.
“They then ordered the complainant to insert the tablets in her genitals to terminate the pregnancy and the girl complied. A few hours later, the complainant started experiencing abdominal pains,” said Ms Mtukwa.
The offence came to light when one of the complainant’s friends got information about the incident and took the girl to a local religious leader where she narrated her ordeal.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the couple’s arrest and recovery of the abortion tablets.
The victim was taken to Beitbridge District Hospital for medical attention where it was discovered the pregnancy had been terminated. — @tupeyo
Online Reporter