adminTendai Gukutikwa
A HONDE Valley man appeared in court facing charges of statutory rape after he allegedly married a 14-year-old, a move which he said was acceptable in his unnamed church.
David Mwanaka (30) of Mwanaka Village in Hauna is facing serious statutory rape charges after living with the 14-year-old teenager as his wife for the past year.
Mwanaka appeared before Mutare magistrate Mr Langton Mukwengi last week and denied the charges.
He insisted that his bride was 16 and not a minor as the State was claiming.
Mwanaka was granted $50 bail and the matter was adjourned for trial to yesterday (November 13).
Mr Brian Goto prosecuted.
The court heard that Mwanaka was arrested after police at Hauna Police Station received a tip-off from an anonymous caller to the effect that he was cohabiting with a 14-year-old teenager.
“My wife is 16 and from what I know she is old enough to be married and live with me or whosoever she wishes to be with,” said Mwanaka in his defence.
Mwanaka, however, claimed that his wife had no birth certificate because it was forbidden by their church leaders to possess such documents.
He also refused to name the church he attended.
“A trial will be conducted and the truth will come out. Witnesses will be called and birth certificates will be produced. The truth will come out and if you are found guilty, brace yourself for a stiffer penalty,” Mr Mukwengi warned him.
Online Reporter