Underwear causes rumpus in court

Mashudu Mambo

A grey underwear that was produced in court as evidence caused a rumpus when a 39-year-old man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl, claimed that the underwear was “planted” as evidence by the victim’s family.

The drama occurred when the man from Fort Rixon in Matabeleland South province appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Matthew Mutiro facing four counts of rape early this week. He pleaded not guilty to the charges but was convicted and remanded to Friday for sentencing. During trial, the accused maintained his innocence, claiming he was framed.

“I helped this family out when they were stranded, but then they left their pants on my bed and make claims that l raped the victim,” he said.

The court heard that sometime in 2022, the 10-year-old victim and her parents took temporary shelter at the man’s place in Fort Rixon. On a date unknown to the prosecutor, the victim’s mother and the man’s wife went out to collect firewood. The victim’s father was absent, leaving her alone with the accused in his bedroom.

The court heard that he allegedly called the victim to his bedroom and instructed her to get on the bed. She complied. He then undressed and raped her once. Following the abuse, he reportedly obtained a bucket of water and instructed the victim to clean blood from her body.

He then disposed of the water in the toilet. The court heard that the accused ordered the victim not to disclose the matter to anyone. The court further heard that sometime in July 2023, the victim’s mother left her in the care of the accused and his wife while she attended an overnight church service.

His wife prepared a sleeping area for the victim and retired to her bedroom after the child fell asleep. Later that night, the accused entered the room where the victim was sleeping and is accused of raping her on two occasions. The victim dressed up in the morning and did not disclose the incident to anyone.

On 3 December 2023, at around 9pm, he offered the victim’s mother some meal meal. While she was cooking in the kitchen, he called the juvenile into his room. When she was in the room, he then raped her once and was caught in the act by the juvenile’s mother who reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest.