adminShamiso Dzingire Court Reporter
A JUVENILE has been arrested for allegedly sodomising a 13-year-old boy during an all night prayer meeting in Bulawayo. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at a house in Pumula North suburb where the prayer meeting was being held. The boy, 15, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze facing a count of aggravated indecent assault.
He was not asked to plead and was released into the custody of his brother on free bail.
Prosecuting, Margaret Muhombe said on July 18, the complainant, in the company of his two sisters and church pastor, proceeded to a house in Pumula North for an all night prayer.
She said the accused resides at the house where the meeting was being held.
“At around 3AM the following morning, the complainant informed the house owner that he was feeling sleepy and he took him to the spare bedroom where the accused was sleeping. The two shared the same blanket,” said Muhombe.
She said the complainant woke up at around 4AM to find the accused sodomising him.
“Upon realising that he was awake, the accused immediately stopped the flagrant act,” added Muhombe.
The court heard that the boy quickly left the spare bedroom and went to the sitting room where the church service was being held and informed his sister about what had happened.
The court heard how the 13-year-old boy told church members who had to be restrained from beating up his attacker.
“Upon hearing the matter, the pastor took the accused, the complainant and his sisters to a neighbourhood watch committee member, who in turn took them to Pumula police station to report the matter,” she said.
A medical report produced in court showed that the boy sustained some bruises due to penetration.
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