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Moreblessing NcubeCourt Reporter
A 25-YEAR-OLD Binga man employed as a herdsman in Tsholotsho appeared in court last Friday for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl.
Matthew Munsaka of Manjemi Line appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mnkandla on a rape charge. He was remanded in custody until July 24 for trial
The prosecutor, Ms Nomthandazo Mafu, said on April 19, at around 2PM, the complainant was in a bushy area in Tsholotsho herding her family’s goats when Munsaka emerged from the shrubs and grabbed her hands.
“The accused pulled the complainant and pushed her to the ground before raping her,” said Ms Mafu.
After the alleged assault, Munsaka reportedly threatened to kill the complainant if she told anyone and then fled the scene.
The minor later reported the incident to her mother. A police report was made and Munsaka was arrested two days later.
In his defence, Munsaka denied the charges, claiming the complainant fabricated the story under the influence of her father, who allegedly wanted to take over his job. He told the court that he had long sensed hostility from the girl’s family.
In a separate case, a 37-year-old man from Queens Park suburb in Bulawayo was brought before the courts for allegedly assaulting his wife after she refused to be intimate with him.
Dylan Francis pleaded not guilty to assault when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Evia Matura. He was remanded in custody until Wednesday.
The prosecutor, Ms Josephine Gurazhira, said the incident occurred on 14 March at around 10 PM following a domestic dispute between Francis and his wife, Ms Mariah Kewalram.
“In a fit of rage, the accused slapped the complainant once and struck her on the head with a ceramic bowl, accusing her of infidelity,” she said.
In her testimony, Ms Kewalram told the court that on 11 March, her husband sent her several messages accusing her of having extramarital affairs.
The following day, around 3 PM, Francis returned from Filabusi intoxicated and began insulting her, calling her derogatory names.
“Later that evening, when Francis sought intimacy, I refused. Francis became violent and slapped me twice in the face,” said Ms Kewalram.
The complainant slept in their son’s room, during which Francis came and struck her on the head using a ceramic bowl and she fell and became unconscious.
When she regained consciousness, Ms Kewalram discovered that she was bleeding and had also sustained a swollen right hand. A report was made to the police, leading to Francis’s arrest.
