adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
ACTING Chief Madamombe, Cleopas Muzondo (46) from Gutu has been arraigned before the courts on allegations of fondling a 16-year-old girl he found herding goats. Muzondo who was issued with a warrant of arrest twice for contempt of court pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Gutu resident magistrate Mr Nyasha Vhitorini on Monday facing a charge of indecent assault.
He was remanded out of custody to 24 October for trial.
For the State, Ms Beatrice Mukaro told the court that sometime in March, Muzondo saw the girl herding goats in the bush.
The court was told that he lured and sweet-talked her into following him.
He allegedly proposed love to the girl but she turned him down.
Undeterred, Muzondo pulled the girl by the hand closer to him before forcibly fondling her breasts, the court was told.
After allegedly committing the offence, he left the girl after promising her some goodies.
The girl reported the matter at Bhasera Police Station and Muzondo was arrested.
He is on $50 bail and was supposed to appear in court in June but did not turn up leading to Mr Vhitorini issuing a warrant of arrest.
He later surrendered himself to the police after which another court date was set.
The court heard that Muzondo again defaulted and another warrant of arrest was issued.
He was arrested last week.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo