By Meditation Mposi
A Chivi man appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Innocent Bepura on allegations of raping his 16-year-old daughter twice.
The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim appeared in court on March 4, 2025, pleading not guilty and was remanded in custody to March 11 for continuation of trial.
It was the state’s case as presented by Prosecutor Liberty Hove that on November 19, 2024 the accused approached his daughter who was washing plates outside and asked her to get into the kitchen.
He then ordered the complainant to undress herself and raped her once.
On the second count it is alleged that on December 27, 2024 in the evening the complainant was in the kitchen with her two siblings.
The trio were sleeping in the kitchen while waiting for the homemade bread they were baking to be ready while their mother was in her bedroom as she was not feeling well.
The accused then went into the kitchen and raped the complainant once. On the following day the complainant’s sibling reported the incident to their mother, which led to the matter being reported to the police after which the accused was arrested.
In his defense, the accused told the court that his wife and children fabricated the story because they had marital issues, adding that his wife had always told him that children had their own rights. He further said his wife threatened him that she was going to force him out of their marital home.
He added that he worked hard for his family and was expecting his daughter to excel, therefore he could not abuse her.
