adminHarare Bureau
THE love for tattoos proved costly for a top musician’s teenage daughter after two men who were tattooing her, allegedly intoxicated her before taking turns to rape her.
The pair, Nathan Stotombe, 26, and Sean Swanepool 23, also took photos of the 19-year-old girl as she lay naked and unconscious which they then circulated on social media.
Stotombe and Swanepool yesterday appeared before regional magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni for trial.
The trial, however, is being held in camera probably to protect the victim.
Prosecutor Daniel Muchimbiri alleged that on July 13, the 19-year-old girl who wanted to be tattooed, met Stotombe in the central business district.
It is alleged Stotombe told her that the tattooing process was to be done at Swanepool’s residence and she agreed.
They allegedly boarded a commuter omnibus and went to his house.
The court heard that the duo left the girl seated on the verandah and went to the shops where they bought some brandy.
When they got back, they took the complainant to a back room and Swanepool started drawing the tattoo on her left shoulder.
The victim, the court heard, started complaining of some pain and it is alleged Stotombe then gave her the brandy to drink saying it would ease the pain.
It is the state’s case that Stotombe kept on giving her the brandy until she passed out.
The pair is said to have taken advantage of her state and took turns to rape her.
They also took photos of her while naked, the state alleged.
Further allegations are that the complainant gained consciousness just after midnight while at her house.
The offence was unearthed after the complainant on July 17, received some of her nude pictures from her friend who had received them from another person.
The photos showed the complainant lying facing down, while her undergarment was lowered and Stotombe appeared in some of the pictures holding her buttocks.
derick.khumalo