Bulawayo man (72) granted bail over alleged indecent assault of neighbour’s teen daughter

A BULAWAYO man who is accused of indecently assaulting his neighbour’s 15-year-old daughter was yesterday released on US$100 bail pending trial.

Osman Yusuf (72) from Pumula North suburb appeared before the Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga, facing indecent assault charges.
Yusuf entered no formal plea during the brief hearing and was released on bail pending trial on March 11. As part of the bail conditions, Yusuf was ordered to continue residing at his given address and not interfere with State witnesses until the matter is finalised.
Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe told the court that the alleged assaults occurred repeatedly between September last year and January this year. The alleged incidents began when the teenage girl visited Yusuf’s home where her friend resides.
“On an unknown date in September 2024, during the daytime, the accused called the complainant into his house. He then convinced her to allow him to fondle her breasts and touch her buttocks,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.

The court heard that Yusuf allegedly exploited the girl’s visits to her friend, turning what should have been innocent interactions into a pattern of abuse.

“Each time the complainant came to see her friend at the accused’s residence, he would take advantage of her presence and indecently assault her,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.
The court heard that the assaults continued unchecked for months, with the teenager initially too frightened or confused to speak out.
The matter came to light under distressing circumstances. In January 2025, the girl went missing, prompting her frantic parents to file a missing person report with the police. After an anxious search, she returned home, and upon being quizzed on her whereabouts by her parents, she narrated her ordeal.

“The complainant disclosed that she had been at Yusuf’s residence. She revealed that he had been sexually assaulting her from September 2024 until January this year,” said Ms Kufandikanwe. A report was made to the police, leading to Yusuf’s arrest.

The teenager was immediately taken to a local hospital for a medical examination to assess her condition and gather evidence. The results of the examination have not yet been disclosed in court, but they are expected to play a key role in the upcoming trial.