Father (55) arrested for raping mentally challenged daughter

A 55-year-old Bulawayo man who has been arrested for allegedly sexually attacking his mentally challenged daughter has appeared in court charged with rape.

The accused, from Bulawayo’s Tshabalala suburb, cannot be named so as to protect the complainant’s identity.

He appeared on Wednesday before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Mathew Mutiro, charged with rape.
He was not asked to plead but granted US$200 bail and instructed to report to Tshabalala Police Station on Fridays.

The accused was also ordered not to interfere with State witnesses and to reside at the address given to the court until the matter is finalised.
The accused is represented by his lawyer, Mr Tapiwa Solani of Shenje and Company Legal Practitioners.

The matter was remanded out of custody to 15 July for the commencement of trial. Prosecuting Ms Hazel Ncube told the court that sometime last year the accused called the complainant to his bedroom.

“The complainant quickly walked to her father’s bedroom and he told her to sit on his bed. After that, he sexually attacked her. After the act, he told her not to tell anyone.
“The complainant left for her sister’s apartment and divulged the ordeal to her sister,” said Ms Ncube.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused.