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Chido Nyamuyaruka Court Correspondent
A 79-year-old man appeared in court yesterday to answer to murder and rape charges after he allegedly strangled an 11-year-old to cover up the rape.
Alois Taruvinga Shamhu appeared before Harare Magistrate Mr Dennis Mangosi and was remanded in custody to November 3.
Admission to bail was denied by the State following the strength of the State’s case.
The court advised Shamhu to approach the High Court for his bail application as is normal in crimes of extreme violence.
On Thursday last week, at around 11pm the 11-year-old of Shamu Village, Chief Chinamhora, Domboshava, was sleeping in her room together with another girl.
The room was adjacent to Shamhu’s bedroom. He crept into her bedroom and raped her.
The court heard that, the 11-year-old shouted for help which awakened the other girl in the who managed to positively identify Shamhu committing the offence.
The following morning this girl left the room and returned to her family home where she narrated the story to her mother Dadirai Kurinani.
Meanwhile the Shamhu rushed to the police to file a report of sudden death as an explanation of the death and to cover up his crimes.
The police followed procedures and attended the scene, investigated and discovered that the dead 11-year-old had blood stains on her genitalia.
As is normal when someone dies in unknown or suspicious circumstances, a post mortem in mandatory.
Her body was ferried to Parirenyatwa Group of Hospital Mortuary where pathologist Doctor Yohandry Olai Mayedo performed the post mortem and concluded that she had been sexually assaulted before she was strangled.
The doctor’s results led to the arrest of Alois Shamhu.
Investigations submitted by the police indicated that, there is overwhelming evidence linking Shamhu to the commission of the crimes.
A pair blood stained blue work suit trousers was recovered from the accused which he was wearing on the day in question.
He was positively identified by the other girl in the room committing the offense.
Online Reporter