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A GWERU police officer who hired a 13-year-old “prostitute” escaped the agony of jail life after the girl confessed that she lied about her age.
The police officer, Patrick Manhimanzi, 23, who resides at Mkoba Village 1, said the girl told him she was 16 and was loitering at night.
“I honestly assumed she was a prostitute since she was loitering at night. She told me she was 16 and I believed her. I even paid her $5 for her services,” Manhimanzi told the court.
The girl confirmed lying about her age to the court thus providing the escape route to Manhimanzi.
Manhimanzi was on duty in January when he arrested the minor (name withheld to protect the girl) together with her friend for loitering at night at a shopping centre in Mkoba Village 1.
Gweru magistrate Getrude Mayonyose, dismissed the case yesterday when she ruled that Manhimanzi was “not guilty”.
Prosecuting, Chipo Matshe had told the court that sometime in January this year and at House Number 52 Mkoba 1 Gweru, Manhimanzi had sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 16.
The court heard that Manhimanzi arrested the 13-year-old girl at night after claiming the girl and her friend were loitering for the purpose of prostitution.
He dragged the two towards the direction of Mkoba Village 1 Police Station.
The police officer then released the girl’s friend on the way to the police station and went on to propose love to the teenager and she consented.
Manhimanzi took the girl to his lodgings where the two had sexual intercourse. He paid the girl $5 for her services.
The girl admitted to lying about her age to Manhimanzi. She also confirmed that she had received $5 from the police officer after they had sexual intercourse.
Online Reporter