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Loveness Mpofu Sunday News Reporter
A man from Nyamandlovu, Matabeleland North province has been arrested for allegedly raping his ex-girlfriend’s 13-year-old daughter. He reportedly gave her 50 cents to buy her silence.
Nation Mpofu (49) allegedly raped the minor on two consecutive days, a fortnight ago and threatened to strangle her if she revealed the matter to anyone.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape when he appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Franklin Mkhwananzi last week.
Mr Mkhwananzi advised him to apply for bail at the High Court and remanded him in custody to Tuesday for continuation of trial.
For the State, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo told the court that Mpofu raped the minor on 6 and 7 February this year.
He said: “On February 6, the minor was going to school with others. As they were passing by Mpofu’s homestead, he summoned them and told others to proceed to school. He took the girl to his bedroom hut and gave her 50 cents.”
Mr Dlodlo said Mpofu threatened to strangle the minor, laid her on a mat and allegedly raped her.
“The following day, the juvenile’s mother sent her to collect an axe that had been borrowed by him.
“Her younger brother went, but he refused to give him the axe and said the girl should come,” he said.
The court heard that when she went to his homestead, Mpofu allegedly raped her again.
He threatened to kill her if she revealed the ordeal.
The matter came to light when her mother asked why she frequently visited the man’s homestead. She told her mother what happened and they made a police report leading to Mpofu’s arrest. -@lvydvy1
Online Reporter