Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura, Court Reporter
A 33-year-old Bulawayo man appeared in court for allegedly raping his 15-year-old niece and infecting her with an STI.
The accused from Pelandaba West suburb, whose name is withheld to protect the complainant’s identity, appeared before the Western Commonage regional magistrate, facing a charge of rape.
He was remanded in custody until December 5 for trial.
Prosecuting, Ms Christina Manyika said that the accused person is an uncle to the complainant and they live together.
“Sometime in 2024, the accused person, his wife, the complainant and two other minor children were sleeping in one room at their place of residence in Pelandaba,” she said.
The accused person sneaked into the complainant’s blankets.
The court heard that when the complainant woke up and tried to scream, the accused person closed her mouth and threatened to kill her if she screamed before raping her. The accused continued to rape the minor on several different occasions.
“The accused person would threaten the complainant with death each time he raped her, said Ms Manyika.
The matter came to light in September this year when the complainant got ill and was taken to a doctor, where it was discovered that she was infected with an STI.
Upon being interviewed by her aunt, the complainant managed to open up and told her aunt about the rape.
A report was made to the police, leading to the man’s arrest.
