The Sunday News
Sindisiwe Sibanda, Sunday News Reporter
A MAN from Matobo District in Matabeleland South, allegedly repeatedly raped his 13-year-old niece on several occasions until he was caught one day after dozing off after the act.
The 36-year-old man, from Mabhulununi Village under Chief Masuku allegedly raped his niece from January this year, until it was discovered recently. The two were staying in the same village and the matter came to light after he dosed off next to the complainant after raping her.
The man last week appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mrs Ulukile Mlea-Ndlovu and was charged with four counts of rape. He was remanded in custody to 22 October and advised to approach the High Court for bail.
Prosecuting, Mr Nkathazo Dlodlo told the court that sometime in January this year, the complainant and her uncle were in the bush looking for cattle when he ordered her to lie down on the ground but she refused. Mr Dlodlo alleged that the juvenile attempted to escape but her uncle caught up with her and pushed her to the ground, threatening to kill her.
“The accused removed his trousers and raped her once. Three days later, the accused entered the complainant’s bedroom and raped her again. The accused person continued raping the complainant on several occasions almost on a daily basis until the end of May this year,” Mr Dlodlo said.
During the time of the abuse, Mr Dlodlo said the accused constantly threatened his niece not to divulge the abuse to anyone.
The court heard that at the end of May, the complainant visited Bulawayo and went back to her village in September.
“Three days after she went back home, the accused entered her bedroom and raped her once and threatened her with violence if she revealed the rape to anyone. On 5 October, at around 9pm, the accused went to his niece’s bedroom with his blankets and slept beside her before proceeding to rape her without protection,” said Mr Dlodlo.
He told the court that at around 11pm, one Meluleki Moyo knocked on the juvenile’s door and asked about her uncle’s whereabouts. The juvenile exposed her uncle who was still inside.
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