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Danisa Masuku
A 79-YEAR-OLD man from Nyamandlovu, Matabeleland North Province, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing his granddaughter for over five years.
The alleged abuse occurred at the man’s residence, where he was living with the victim. Having endured sexual abuse from her grandfather from the time she was 17 years old, the girl eventually fled from home.
Deeply traumatised by the ordeal, she confided in her sister, who urged her to report the matter to the police, leading to her grandfather’s arrest.
The man recently appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Vivian Ndlovu facing charges of rape and indecent assault. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was remanded in custody to 12 March. He was advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
It is alleged that on a date unknown to the prosecutor but sometime in 2019 the accused woke up during the night and tiptoed to his granddaughter’s bedroom and sneaked into her blankets.
The court heard that the girl woke up to find her grandfather in her blankets. Startled, she screamed and fled, but he chased and overpowered her. It is alleged that he sexually assaulted her.
The court further heard that the accused continued to abuse the victim at night, entering her bedroom and sexually assaulting her. It is alleged that he also took advantage of their being alone during the day, groping her buttocks and breasts on these occasions.
Deeply traumatised by the years of abuse, the victim fled her grandfather’s home in January this year and sought refuge at her sister’s homestead.
It was then that she narrated her ordeal to her sister who advised her to report the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the alleged perpetrator.
Online Reporter