Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A 52-year-old man from Mapolovhele area in Beitbridge has been arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl from the same village after she was sent to collect a solar panel from his homestead.
The man cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainant.
He was arrested on December 19 and appeared before acting Beitbridge Regional Magistrate Mr Takudzwa Gwazemba on Wednesday.
The accused was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody until January 14.
Prosecuting, Mr Willbrought Muleya told the court that on December 17 this year, the complainant was sent to the accused’s homestead at around 5PM to collect a solar panel. Upon arrival, the man, who was alone at the time, asked the girl to enter a spare bedroom, and she complied.
“He followed her, lifted her, placed her on the bed facing upwards, and raped her once,” said Mr Muleya.
The court heard that after the incident, he gave the girl the solar panel and she left.
The matter came to light on December 19 when the complainant gave the clothes she had been wearing on the day to her siblings, and blood stains were later noticed by their grandmother.
The grandmother informed the complainant’s mother, who then questioned the girl about the source of the blood.
“She narrated her ordeal, and the matter was reported to the police, who swiftly arrested the accused,” said Mr Muleya.
