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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
AN 18-year-old man from Esigodini has appeared in court for allegedly raping two juveniles aged eight and 10 years while they were playing at a homestead where he was employed as a herdboy.
The teenager pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira. He was remanded in custody to next week on Wednesday for trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Blessing Gundani said the herdboy raped the 10-year-old who stays at a home where he was employed as a herdsman twice.
He also allegedly raped the girl’s eight-year-old friend once.
Mr Gundani said the teenager took advantage of the absence of the complainants’ parents to commit the offence.
“On a date unknown to the prosecutor but during the period extending from 1 January 2014 to 17 April 2018, the complainant was playing with an eight-year-old friend when accused called her to get some food and the two children went together. He told them that the food was in his bedroom and he led them there,” he said.
“He picked up the complainant and her friend and placed them on his bed. He stuffed some clothes in their mouths to stop from screaming. He went on to rape the complainant and warned the two children against reporting the matter and ordered them to leave.”
Mr Gundani said between January and April last year, the two children were playing outside when the teenager called them into his bedroom.
He said the teenager placed them on the bed and first raped the 10-year-old and then ordered her to go outside.
Mr Gundani said he went on to rape the eight-year-old and warned the two children against reporting.
He also allegedly raped the 10-year-old for the second time.
“The matter came to light on August 7 last year when the 10-year-old girl started discharging a brownish fluid from her private parts.
“She was questioned by her mother and she revealed that she and her friend had been raped by the herdboy.
“The eight-year-old was questioned by her parents and she also confirmed the incident. The matter was reported to the police resulting in his arrest,” said Mr Gundani.
—@DubeMatutu
Online Reporter