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Tsenulo Moyo
A 24-YEAR-OLD man from Umguza District in Matabeleland North Province, who was arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl, pulled a shocker in court after he claimed he was “madly” in love with the minor and that the act was consensual.
Leeroy Chiwonzo made the startling revelations while appearing before Bulawayo regional magistrate Sibonginkosi Mnkandla facing rape charges.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in custody for continuation of trial.
“I deny the fact that they say I raped her yet we had both agreed to do it. We had been in a love relationship for six months, and this act was consensual,” Chiwonzo said in his defense.
The court heard that on 8 December 2024, at around 10am Chiwonzo pushed and grabbed the complainant to a nearby bushy area where he is alleged to have tripped her to the ground and raped her after she had fallen.
The complainant is said to have screamed and was heard by her grandmother, who caught Chiwonzo red-handed raping the complainant.
Upon reaching the scene, the complainant’s grandmother is alleged to have grabbed a stick and hit the accused, leading him to run away from the scene. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused person.
Online Reporter