adminSenior Court Reporter
A 23-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man was yesterday arraigned before the courts for allegedly masturbating on his landlady’s eight year-old daughter’s thighs before allegedly bribing the victim’s mother with $100. Blessed Nheva pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent act when he appeared before Western Commonage magistrate, Mr Maphios Moyo.
He was remanded to Monday on $200 bail.
The court was told that sometime in January last year, the complainant’s mother went to the shops in Entumbane leaving the girl playing with her younger sister at home. Nheva took advantage of the absence of the complainant’s mother and used biscuits to lure the girl to his bedroom.
The court was told that while inside his room, Nheva removed the girl’s clothes before unzipping his trousers. He allegedly placed his private parts on the complainant’s thighs and masturbated, the court was told.
Soon after committing the alleged offence, Nheva threatened to assault the girl if she told anyone about what had transpired.
When the complainant’s mother returned, the victim’s younger sister told her that the complainant was playing in the accused’s room. The girl’s mother became suspicious and quizzed her daughter. The girl who initially was reluctant to tell her mother about the incident eventually opened up after her mother had threatened to beat her.
On being examined, the mother discovered semen on her thighs and skirt.
She confronted Nheva over the matter threatening to report him to the police.
Nheva allegedly gave the woman $100 bribe to stop her from reporting the matter to the police and she accepted the money.
The matter, however, came to light after police received a tip-off from a member of the public leading to Nheva’s arrest.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo