Russell Mapuvire
ZVISHAVANE- A 72-year-old man (name withheld to protect victim) appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Charity Tongera on February 8 on allegations of raping a grade seven pupil.
The matter was transferred to Gweru regional court where the accused will be tried on March 19 2022.
The state led by Isheanesu Mashayanye told the court that the accused raped the complainant, a grade seven pupil at a local school, in the bush where she was fetching firewood.
The state told the court that in October 2021 at an unknown date, the complainant was fetching firewood in a bushy area when the accused approached her and asked about his lost cattle.
He then grabbed the complainant’s hand and ordered her to remove her clothes.
Mugwagwa threatened the complainant with the axe he was carrying and forcibly pulled her clothes down and raped her once.
After the incident the complainant went home and told her grandmother about the matter but she could not understand since she has a hearing impairment.
On January 17 2022, the complainant developed an itching sensation and discovered some sores on her privates.
She then told her grandmother, who then accompanied her to report the matter.
The complainant was referred to Zvishavane hospital for medical examination, which was produced in court as evidence.
