admin
Danisa Masuku
A 54-YEAR-OLD man who was reportedly troubled by the mysterious deaths of his cattle has been arrested for allegedly raping his seven-year -old niece on the advice of a sangoma to supposedly end the problem.
The man from Dandanda area in Lupane, Matabeleland North province, sought help from a sangoma after his four cows strangely died within a week.
The incident, a source close to investigations said, raised eyebrows within the family prompting the elderly man to enlist the services of a sangoma.
The source said the sangoma told him that he had to sleep with a minor between the ages of five and 10 years so that the spell would end forthwith.
Believing what he was told by the healer he did not think twice.
“Seeing that his wife had gone to fetch firewood and the minor girl was left alone, he lured her into his bedroom hut and gave her some sweets. After that he asked her to sleep with him on the bed. The unsuspecting minor girl didn’t refuse. He played with her till she fell asleep,” said the source.
He exploited the opportunity and allegedly raped her once, said the source.
After the act the elderly man warned the minor girl not to tell anyone about the incident.
However, his luck ran out when the minor girl experienced difficulties in walking.
“The minor tried to keep the matter to herself but pain in her private parts forced her to reveal the ordeal to her mother,” said the source.
The mother reported the matter to the police leading to the alleged rapist’s arrest.
The man appeared before Lupane resident magistrate Ndumo Masuku facing a rape charge.
He was remanded in custody for routine remand.
The magistrate also advised him to apply for bail at the High Court in Bulawayo.
Online Reporter