adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A 22-YEAR-OLD herdsman allegedly raped his neighbour’s four-year-old daughter and offered her grandmother a chicken to dissuade her from reporting the matter to the police. The grandmother however rejected his offer and exposed him. Musa Moyo of Matjinge area appeared on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate, Gideon Ruvetsa, facing a rape charge. He was remanded in custody to November 2. The court heard that Moyo who was working at a homestead close to the juvenile’s home in Matjinge area invited the girl to his bedroom hut and raped her once.
Prosecuting Clemence Shawarira said Moyo found the girl playing near his homestead together with her friends while her grandmother was at home. “On October 10 Moyo called the juvenile to his homestead and indicated that he wanted to give her sweets. The girl agreed and Moyo lured her into his bedroom hut and raped her once before warning her against reporting the matter.
“The girl proceeded to her grandmother and complained of pains on her private parts. The old woman upon inspecting her grandchild discovered that she had been hurt and went on to inquire what had happened,” said Shawarira. He said the grandmother confronted Moyo who was still at his homestead and he offered her a chicken as compensation for his evil deed. Shawarira said the grandmother reported the matter to the police after refusing to accept the “bribe.”
In another incident a 36-year-old Bulilima man appeared on initial remand before the same magistrate facing charges of raping and assaulting his neighbour’s nine-year-old daughter. Walter Sibanda was remanded in custody to October 26. Prosecuting, Elisha Mazorodze said Sibanda ambushed the girl on August 14 while she was on her way home.
He later assaulted her on August 28 and threatened her against reporting the matter. “On August 14 Sibanda ambushed the juvenile while she was passing by a deserted homestead on her way home. He dragged her to his homestead which is nearby and locked her inside and raped her once. “The juvenile remained quiet about the matter and she later met Sibanda while she was on her way to fetch some water,” he said.
Mazorodze said Sibanda dragged the juvenile into a bushy area and whipped her with a Mopani switch and warned her against reporting what had transpired. He said the juvenile returned to her homestead crying and told her mother Sibanda had raped and assaulted her.
Online Reporter