Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
A 33-YEAR-OLD Rusape man, who allegedly lured a 15-year-old neighbour into a sexual relationship, has been arrested.
He appeared in court after the juvenile was found with a brand new cellphone he had given her for their communication.
Joseph Ruhukwa, of Chiunya Village under Chief Makoni, appeared before Rusape magistrate Barbra Mateko facing allegations of having sexual intercourse with a minor.
Ruhukwa, who was not represented, was released on US$100 bail and the matter rolled to September 12 for trial
Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa told the court that Ruhukwa took advantage of the absence of the juvenile’s mother to abuse her in a car.
He later gave the Form Two pupil a cellphone which was discovered by the juvenile’s father leading to the disclosure of the abuse.
“Accused person is the complainant’s boyfriend. On a date unknown to the prosecutor but during the month of January 2025 Ruhukwa proposed love to the complainant and she accepted.
“Sometime during the month of February 2025 at around 6pm Ruhukwa went to the complainant’s homestead to see the complainant as her mother had gone to attend night prayer.
“The accused person parked the motor vehicle at the road and the complainant went where the motor vehicle was parked, entered into the vehicle and the accused drove into the nearby bush where he parked the vehicle.
“They talked for a while before the accused person adjusted the car seat and proceeded to abuse the complainant with her consent.
“The complainant did not disclose the act as she knew what she did was not good.
“The matter came to light when the complainant’s father noticed that the complainant had a cellphone which was bought by the accused person.”
Londile Moyo