Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Writer
A 49-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man appeared in court yesterday for allegedly raping his neighbour’s 12-year-old daughter, who is mentally ill before trying to buy the girl’s silence with US$1.
Mbengo Charumbira, who resides in Iminyela suburb, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Jeconia Prince Ncube on a rape charge. He was remanded in custody to October 6.
Prosecuting, Ms Catherine Kuzu told the court that the incident occurred on September 18 at around 5 PM. The complainant was allegedly invited to the accused’s residence by one Buswork Sibanda, currently at large, who shares the house with him. The court heard that the accused then took the girl into his bedroom, where he allegedly ordered her to remove her clothes before raping her. After the alleged assault, he gave the complainant US$1 in an attempt to silence her.
The matter came to light when the complainant’s guardian noticed she was missing from home. When the guardian found her and asked why she had not slept at home the previous night, the girl narrated the ordeal.
A police report was filed, leading to the arrest of the accused. The complainant was subsequently referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical attention.
