Online Reporter
Dalyn Chigwizura
TWO inmates at Khami Maximum Prison on the outskirts of Bulawayo have appeared in court facing charges of engaging in sodomy, in a case that comes just a day after another prisoner at the same facility was convicted of indecent assault.
Philani Maphosa (29) of Inyathi in Bubi District and Betsere Misheck (20) of Nemangwe Village, Gokwe, pleaded not guilty when they appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Archie Wochiwunga on Friday. They were remanded in custody to August 19 for trial.
Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe said the alleged offence took place on June 16 at around lunchtime.
“On the day in question, the accused persons agreed to engage in anal sexual intercourse in the toilets while other inmates were having breakfast,” said Ms Kufandikanwe.
The court heard that Betsere allegedly agreed to the act after Maphosa promised him bath soap and a shirt. The two then went into one of the toilets, where they were allegedly caught in the act by a staff inmate on inspection, who immediately alerted prison authorities. The matter was reported to the police, and Betsere was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical examination.
The case comes on the heels of another incident at the same prison, where 24-year-old Devine Moyo from Sangulube in Mangwe District was on Thursday sentenced to 12 months in jail for indecent assault on a fellow inmate.
Six months of Moyo’s sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving him with an effective six-month term. His alleged accomplice, Romeo Clever Mpindi of Binga District, pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to August 21.
