Man refuses to take in wifea��s son

Vuyelwa Sibindi
THE gallery at the Bulawayo magistratesa�� court was left in stitches when an elderly man refused to have his stepson released into his custody pending trial for allegedly fondling his 15-year-old daughter.

The court heard that the 17-year-old fondled his stepsister in the middle of the night when the family was asleep.

a�?The accused woke up in the middle of the night and went to the 15-year-olda��s room. When he got there he climbed on top of her and started fondling her breasts and buttocks. When she realised what was going on she screamed, drawing the attention of the household and a police report was filed the next morning,a�? prosecutor Nkathazo Dlodlo told the court.

Presiding magistrate Franklin Mkhwananzi then asked the guardian of the accused to come forward and his stepfather stood up.

a�?We will be releasing the accused into your custody as you are his guardian. If he does not attend the court session we will hold you accountable and arrest you,a�? said Mkhwananzi.

The seemingly seething father pointed at the boya��s uncles.

a�?I cannot live with him as it is my daughter who was molested, the boy is my wifea��s son. Since his uncles are in the court they can take him in,a�? he said.

Mkhwananzi questioned the mana��s parenting skills.

a�?As a father how can you let two teenagers of different sexes sleep in one room? They are young and their hormones are raging. Do something better so that his situation does not happen in future,a�? he said.

The accused was released into his unclea��s custody pending trial.