Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu [email protected]
A 34-YEAR-OLD man from Esigodini has been arrested for allegedly raping his eight-year-old niece.
The man, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mrs Sithembiso Ndebele.
He was remanded in custody to July 2.
Prosecuting, Mr Ngonidzashe Shumba said the man raped his niece in March 2026 and the offence came to light in April.
“During the month of March the complainant arrived home from school in the afternoon where she was staying with her uncle and found the accused person at home alone. The accused person called the complainant into his bedroom and she complied.
“He ordered her to lie on the bed and raped her once and threatened to assault her if she revealed the matter. The complainant remained quiet about the matter. During the month of April the complainant’s father collected her from her uncle’s homestead and took her home,” he said.
Mr Shumba said the complainant’s grandmother noticed that her granddaughter had some bruises on her private parts
She informed the complainant’s father and they questioned the girl who revealed that her uncle had raped her. The matter was reported to the police resulting in the arrest of the accused person.
