A 37-YEAR-OLD Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer yesterday appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Court charged with rape after allegedly impregnating his 12-year-old stepdaughter.
BY DESMOND CHINGARANDE
The suspect was not asked to plead when he appeared before provincial magistrate Barbara Chimboza, but was remanded in custody to May 23 this year for trial and advised to apply for bail at the High Court.
It was the State’s case that sometime in November last year, the complainant was staying with her mother and the suspect.
The State alleges during that month, the girl’s mother proceeded to South Africa on a business trip and the alleged victim was left with the suspect together with two other children.
During the same month, it is alleged, the suspect entered the spare bedroom where the complainant was sleeping with her siblings and asked the other children to go and sleep in the kitchen leaving the victim behind.
The State alleges the other siblings complied and when they left, the suspect locked the door and asked the girl to have sexual intercourse with him, but she refused.
However, the suspect then proceeded to grab the girl, covered her mouth, undressed her and had unprotected sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
After the act, it is alleged, the suspect told the girl not to tell anyone, but the offence came to light when the girl’s aunt noticed she was pregnant and reported her to her mother.
Upon being questioned, she then revealed she had been raped by the suspect and the matter was reported to the police, leading to his arrest.
Linda Gadzikwa appeared for the State.
