Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 47-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has appeared in court for allegedly raping his neighbour’s 11-year-old daughter at knifepoint. The accused, a resident of Magwegwe West who cannot be named to protect the identity of the minor, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga.
He faces a charge of rape as defined in Section 65 (1)(a)(b) as read with Section 64 (1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23.
He was remanded in custody until Tuesday.
At the time of the alleged offence, the accused was the live-in boyfriend of the girl’s caregiver – a maid employed by the family who resided with the complainant in the same neighbourhood.
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari told the court the incident occurred sometime last year. The court heard that the accused, who lived next door, spotted the complainant returning home from school and followed her shortly after.
Moments later, he knocked on the door. When the complainant opened it, the accused casually inquired about what his girlfriend had cooked for the day. The girl innocently replied that nothing had been prepared, as the maid had not yet returned.
Seizing the moment, the accused allegedly locked the door behind him, forcibly stripped the girl of her school uniform, and ordered her to lie on the bed while brandishing a knife.
He allegedly raped her, threatening to stab her if she screamed or resisted. He further warned that he would kill her if she ever disclosed the assault to anyone.
Satisfied, the accused then left the house and returned to his nearby residence as if nothing had happened.
The girl endured the trauma in silence for some time, but her mother eventually noticed changes in her behaviour. After persistent questioning, the 11-year-old broke down and revealed the ordeal. A report was subsequently made to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
