GWERU — There was drama at the Gweru Magistrates’ Court yesterday when a 40-year-old rape suspect from Zvishavane raised his fist after being asked to raise his hand while taking oath inside the witness box.
Appearing before Gweru regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza, the suspect appeared confused and had to repeatedly ask the court interpreter to show him how a hand was raised when making an oath.
“How should I do it? You mean like this?” asked the suspect raising his hand.
He is accused of raping his eight-year-old niece. The State alleges that on December 5, 2009, the suspect shared his bedroom hut with his wife and his niece.
During the night when his wife was fast asleep, he woke up and sneaked into the minor’s blankets and raped her once.
He threatened her with unspecified action if she dared spill the beans.
However, the following morning the girl’s mother paid them a visit from a nearby village and observed that her daughter had difficulty in walking.
She questioned the girl who told her that she had been raped by her uncle.
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A report was made to the police, leading to his arrest. The suspect, however, denied the charge and accused the girl’s mother of fabricating the charge.
The trial was postponed to August 31.
