Man caged for bedding minor

Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 22-YEAR-OLD Bulilima man will spend the next nine months in prison for bedding his 14-year-old girlfriend who is a Form Two pupil at a school in the district. Edson Moyo of Thekwane area was convicted on his own plea of guilty to having sexual intercourse with a young person by Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon.

Moyo told the court that he had not known that his girlfriend was a minor as she had lied about her exact age when he proposed love to her.

The magistrate did not entertain the excuse and sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment.

Three months were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit an offence of the same nature.

‘’You did not know that she was a juvenile at the time you proposed but at the time you slept with her you knew her correct age. You are just purporting ignorance of her age just as an excuse,’’ he said.

Prosecuting, Jane Phiri, said the juvenile took advantage of her parent’s absence and went to sleep at Moyo’s homestead.

The matter came to light after her younger brother reported the matter to their father upon his return.

‘’During the month of December last year Moyo invited the juvenile to his homestead where they had sexual intercourse.

They went on to spend the night together and the juvenile returned to her home the following morning,’’ said Phiri.

She said the juvenile’s younger brother reported to their father on January 13 that his sister had not spent the night at home.

Phiri said the man questioned his daughter who then confessed to having spent the night at her boyfriend’s house.