Online Reporter
Ronald Mpofu, [email protected]
A 31-year-old man from Village 12 in Dombodema has appeared before the Plumtree Magistrates’ Court facing a rape charge after allegedly raping and impregnating his 15-year-old niece.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainant, is also alleged to have threatened to take his own life if the juvenile reported the offence.
He was remanded in custody to May 14 when he briefly appeared before Mr Dambudzo Malunga earlier this week.
Prosecuting, Mr Selestino Madziva said sometime in January this year, the man approached the complainant and indicated that he wanted to teach her something.
However, he did not specify what he intended to teach her.
The court heard that on the day in question, the complainant went to bed with her siblings. Later that night, at around 10pm, the accused allegedly entered the complainant’s bedroom through a window.
He reportedly went straight to the complainant, ignoring her siblings, and woke her by shining a torch light in her face. The complainant was startled when she saw that he was naked and attempted to wake her siblings, but the accused allegedly strangled her to stop her from screaming or making any noise.
The State said the accused then whispered into her ear that he had come for the “lesson” he had mentioned earlier in the day.
He allegedly raped the complainant next to her siblings and, after the act, told her that he would commit suicide if she reported the matter.
The offence only came to light on April 29 when the complainant tested positive for pregnancy.
The matter was subsequently reported to the police, leading to the accused’s swift arrest.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi