adminCaroline Magenga, Midlands Reporter
THE community of Lower Gweru is in shock after a 23-year-old man allegedly raped his three minor sisters aged between nine and 11. The man, from Njini Village under chief Bunani, was brought before Gweru regional magistrate, Morgan Nemadire, to answer to three counts of rape. He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody for continuation of trial to 28 May.
The State will seek to prove that in November 2013, on a day unknown to the court, the three sisters went to stay at their grandmother’s residence where their brother was residing following their mother’s death.
The four siblings’ father had remarried. The court heard that the three girls slept in the kitchen and kept their blankets in their brother’s room. On the evening in question, they went to collect the blankets and their brother allegedly closed the door and proceeded to rape his nine-year-old sister once while the other two sisters were forced to watch.
On another occasion, the court heard, while the three minors were sleeping, their brother allegedly sneaked into the kitchen where they slept and raped each of them in turn before threatening them to keep the matter a secret.
The children claimed they told their grandmother who rubbished the reports. The matter came to light after one of the girls confided in her teacher who had quizzed her as to why she was limping and having difficulties in walking. The teacher immediately reported the matter the police, leading to the man’s arrest.
Ndamuka Chikuni prosecuted.
Online Reporter
Sidumisile Mabena