adminCaroline Magenga Midlands Reporter
A GWERU mechanic, who allegedly lured two 15-year-old cousins to his workplace, spent a night with them and raped them several times and buying them some fresh chips and chicken at a fast food outlet in a bid to buy their silence, has been granted bail by Gweru Magistrate.
The accused, George Phillipus Jacobs Vender, 57 of Watten Motors, Light Industries, also gave the teenagers $20 each.
Vender pleaded not guilty to rape when he appeared before Gweru magistrate, Judith Taruvinga yesterday.
He was remanded out of custody to 8 May on $100 bail.
Vender was ordered to continue residing at the same address and not to interfere with the witnesses until the completion of the trial.
For the State, Helen Khosa told the court that a fortnight ago on a Saturday, at about 2PM, the two teenagers from Senga suburb went to Kombayi vegetable market to buy some vegetables.
The court heard that Vender approached the two girls and invited them to his place in the light Industrial site in Gweru.
He spent the whole night with the girls at his garage during which he raped both of them.
The prosecutor further alleged that the two girls were spotted by a family friend going to the garage. The friend then alerted the girls’ parents.
The parents reported the girls missing at Senga Police Station.
The two girls returned home the following morning and narrated their ordeal at the hands of Vender. The matter was reported to the police leading to Vender’s arrest.
Online Reporter