malvernmugadzikwa
Aaron Charungwa Moyo
A 63-YEAR-OLD man from Zaka, Masvingo province, last week appeared in court facing charges of raping a mentally challenged girl aged 15.
Solomon Rugadza, of Rugadza village under Chief Ndanga, was remanded in custody to November 7 after he appeared before Zaka magistrate Ms Tariro Lynet Mudzingo.
The court heard that on October 27, the accused invited the minor to his house and forced himself on her.
Prosecutor Ms Beatitude Shava said: “The accused person invited the survivor to his house and, on arrival, he took advantage of the survivor’s mental state and
had sexual intercourse three times with her.”
The matter came to light when the minor was given gifts by the accused as a token of appreciation.
When the minor was questioned, she confessed to having been given shoes by Rugadza, whom she positively identified.
In a related case, a 48-year-old man from the same district, Tavonga Zhangare, also appeared in the same court on charges of raping a mentally challenged 22-year-old woman.
Zhangare pleaded guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody pending sentence.
Online Reporter