Domestic worker denies raping boy (22)

Zvikomborero Parafini

A domestic worker, who appeared in court last week accused of raping his employer’s eight-year-old son whose parents shared the house with her employer, denied the allegations as the trial opened in the capital yesterday.

The domestic worker pleaded not guilty when she appeared before magistrate Estere Chivasa charged with two counts of aggravated indecent assault in which she allegedly forced herself on the boy and ‘sexual intercourse’ with him.

In denying the allegations, she told the court that the child has an active imagination and has frequently been reprimanded for being a peeping Tom when she and other females are bathing.

She told the court that the boy would frequently caress her and once kissed her which was reported to the grandmother, who is his custodian.

She further told the court that the boy has unfettered access to the internet through his cellphone which may lead him to fabricate this story against her without being aware of the legal implications.

The domestic worker also told the court that there are conflicting statements between the Complainant and the Witness statements relating to the discovery of the alleged crime which conflicts create reasonable doubt on her criminal liability.

As a result of the alleged conflicting statements, the domestic worker claimed it is more probable that the allegations against her are fabricated by the boy’s family to stop the intended marriage between her and their relative which they are against.

She further argued that the allegations are improbable as the kitchen and bedroom in question are communal access areas and in the event that she assaulted the boy, she would have been caught by her employer.

Prosecutor Chido Gohori opened her case by leading evidence from the boy followed by his mother who was the first person to be told.

The trial resumes today.