Chronicle Editor
Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
AN Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) deacon in Bulawayo who was accused of fondling a 13-year-old girl and promising to teach her sex positions that will help her in marriage, has been acquitted of indecent assault.
Bhakhulu Joseph Dube (68) was last week discharged at the close of State case by Western Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndhlovu.
The magistrate concluded that the State had failed to prove a prima facie case against Dube.
Mr Ndhlovu said there was no evidence that Dube fondled the girl as she admitted having lied to the court, thereby dismissing all the evidence that was submitted in the case.
During cross examination, the girl told the court that she fabricated the story because she feared being scolded by her mother for being late.
She was inconsistent in her statements, leading Dube’s lawyer Mr Liberty Mcijo of Liberty Mcijo and Associates to ask her if she lied about being fondled and she said yes.
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