Byo Councillor in extortion storm: demands beast/car from family of boy who bedded her teenage niece

Gibson Mhaka
A Bulawayo female councillor is at the centre of an extortion storm amid allegations that she demanded a beast and a motor vehicle from the family of a 20-year-old boy who was having a sexual relationship with her niece who she claimed was below the age of consent.

The councillor whose name is being withheld to protect the name of the girl who is said to be 15 years old is alleged to have demanded a beast or a motor vehicle from Lawrence Gotoaï¿½ï¿½s family in Mzilikazi suburb claiming it was a ransom for him not to be prosecuted.

This followed his arrest last week on Sunday.

Speaking to B-Metro, Gotoaï¿½ï¿½s sister Nozibusiso Moyo said the councillor approached them with her demands saying it was the only way of stopping her brother from being prosecuted.

She said although her brother admitted to having been in a relationship with the girl and slept with her on three occasions she doubted that she was 15 years old.

Moyo said when the two started dating, the girl reportedly told her brother that she was 19 years old. She added that the councillor was trying to rob them by claiming that her niece was 15 years old.

aï¿½?From the way she has been pushing us to pay the beast or a motor vehicle we became suspicious that the girl was not 15 years old. After my brother was arrested she approached us and said we should give her a beast or a motor vehicle so that they can drop the charges.

aï¿½?She demanded a car because she knew my older brother is running a car sale company in the city,aï¿½? said Moyo.

She said the councillor also demanded that they could give her $500 in place of a beast.

The suspicious Moyo, however, had second thoughts about the demands and approached the police where she was advised not to bow down to the demands.

aï¿½?What surprised us is that the girl is not pregnant. We gathered information to the effect that she was beaten and forced to reveal the affair after they heard that she was in love with my brother. When we approached the police they advised us that we should not pay or bow down to their demands but wait for the law to take its course,aï¿½? said Moyo.

When the matter was taken to court on Wednesday prosecution was declined on the grounds that they should first bring the girlaï¿½ï¿½s birth certificate so that they could ascertain her real age.

aï¿½?LawrenceAï¿½ was supposed to appear in court on Wednesday but prosecution was turned down at the set down where the girlaï¿½ï¿½s parents were asked to bring the girlaï¿½ï¿½s birth certificate so that they could be sure that she was 15 years old.

aï¿½?Surprisingly, they said the birth certificate was in the rural areas and when they were asked when they were prepared to bring it they were not even sure,aï¿½? said a devastated Moyo.

When contacted for comment the councilor, however, chose to remain tight-lipped.

aï¿½?I canaï¿½ï¿½t comment because I am not aware of what you are asking me about,aï¿½? she said before threatening this reporter with unspecified action.