derick.khumalo
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A 21-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for raping his nine-year-old cousin.
The man from Esibomvu area in Esigodini who cannot be named for ethical reasons pleaded not guilty to rape when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mrs Sithembiso Ndebele. He was remanded in custody to August 7 for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Ngonidzashe said the accused person raped the complainant on May 11 after she was left under his custody.
“On 11 May at around 7AM the complainant was left under the custody of the accused person by her aunt who was going to visit a sick relative. On the same day at night the accused person, the complainant and two other children aged seven and 11-years-old went to sleep in the same bedroom which they shared.
“The accused person then noticed that the complainant was asleep and he sneaked into the blankets which she was sharing with the other two children. He went on to rape the complainant and warned her against reporting the matter. The matter came to light on May 13 when the complainant went to visit her grandmother and narrated what the accused person had done to her. The matter was reported to the police resulting in the arrest of the accused person,” he said.
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Mathew Masinge