adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO teacher who tried to seduce a 13-year-old pupil via a pornographic video before asking the girl to have sex with him, was yesterday ordered to perform community service. Thabani Mkandla, 29, of Nketa suburb, showed the girl a pornographic video before stripping and asking her for sex.
Bulawayo magistrate Marylin Mutshina convicted Mkandla of public indecency and sentenced him to 12 months in jail.
She suspended six months for five years on condition of good behaviour and the remaining six months on condition that Mkandla performs 220 hours of community service at a school in Nketa suburb.
Prosecuting, Memory Takaenda said on December 8, 2014, shortly after 7AM, the girl was alone at Nhlambabaloyi Primary School teachers’ cottage when Mkandla approached her.
“Mkandla showed the girl a pornographic video on his cellphone before he went back to his room where he removed his clothes,” said Takaenda.
The court heard that a few minutes later, Mkandla returned to the girl’s room in the nude and asked the girl to be intimate with him. The girl refused to have sex with Mkandla and reported the matter to her parents.
A report was made to the police leading to Mkandla’s arrest.
Mkandla, in his defence, denied the charge, arguing that the victim was used by her aunt to embarrass him.
“I didn’t commit the crime. In fact the girl lied because she was used by her aunt who has a score to settle with me since there is bad blood between us,” said Mkandla.
Online Reporter