adminNozipho Ncube
A WOULD-be customer allegedly raped a minor after asking for directions to her brothera��s house where he intended to buy fish.
Bernard Shoko (33), who is employed by National Golden Brand Milling Company, and resides in Mpopoma suburb allegedly arrived at the victima��s house with the intention of buying fish on 21 August.
Prosecutor Rufaro Mageza told the Western Commonage Courts that when the 16-year-old victim informed Shoko that her brother who resides in another part of the neighbourhood had the fish, the accused asked her to accompany him.
It is alleged that along the way, at a secluded place, Shoko fondled the victima��s breasts and she told him to stop.
Shoko briefly stopped but a short while later held the minor by the neck and tripped her to the ground.
He proceeded to strip his victim naked and raped her once.
It took the intervention of an unknown woman who demanded Shoko to let go of the minor. He then dressed up and quickly vanished.
The minor proceeded home where she narrated the ordeal to her mother who reported the matter to the police leading to Shokoa��s arrest.
She was referred to Mpilo Hospital for medical examination and a medical report was produced in court as evidence.
Magistrate Stephen Ndlovu remanded the accused in custody to 6 September.
derick.khumalo