adminTrust Shoko, who is originally from Chimbibho under Chief Nekatambe in Hwange was employed as a domestic worker by the complainant’s neighbours in Ntunungwe area.
He was reportedly playing a children’s game, “hide and seek” on Tuesday night with three minors, the complainant and her two siblings when the incident occurred.
The complainant is eight years old and is doing Grade One at Ntunungwe Primary School.
Shoko who was facing charges of aggravated indecent assault, was convicted on his own plea of guilty by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Fadzai Mthombeni.
He was sentenced to six years in prison but three years were suspended for five years on condition he does not within that period commit a similar offence.
Shoko told the court that evil spirits might have affected him when he committed the offence.
For the State, Mr Goodluck Katenaire told the court that on Tuesday at about 9pm, the complainant and her siblings were playing the “hide and seek” game.
The court heard that they were joined by Shoko who when it was his turn and that of the complainant to hide, ordered the other two minors out of the kitchen hut where he was supposed to hide together with the complainant.
The court heard that Shoko then kissed the girl before lifting and putting her on his lap.
He then held the complainant and made her move back and forth as if they were having sexual intercourse.
At that moment, one of the complainant’s siblings peeped through the window to check where Shoko and the complainant were hiding. He then saw Shoko kissing the complainant.
The boy rushed to inform his father who later reported the matter to the police leading to Shoko’s arrest.
Online Reporter