By Meditation Mposi
A 28-year-old Bikita man recently appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Innocent Bepura facing two counts of raping two of his neighbours’ minor children and impregnating one.
The accused who pleaded not guilty will be back in court for continuation of trial on December 3.
It was the state’s case as represented by Innocent Mudzingwa that on the first count which happened on August 21, 2024 at around 000hours, the first complainant (name withheld), a 12-year-old juvenile was sleeping in her bedroom with her younger sister when the accused opened the door which was not locked and entered.
The accused approached the complainant and closed her mouth using his hand and raped her.
The complainant screamed for help and the accused person ran away. Another neighbor came to the scene but the accused had already fled.
The accused denied the allegations in court saying he was not aware of the matter because on the day in question he was at home with other locals.
On the second count, the accused allegedly raped a 16-year-old girl and impregnated her. According to the state, the complainant was fetching firewood in the bush when the accused person came from behind, closed her mouth and threatened to kill her if she screamed.
The accused person then raped her once. The pregnancy came to light after the complainant’s mother noticed some changes on the girl as she became selective on food.
After engaging with the complainant, she then revealed the rape case and the matter was reported to the police.
In his defense, the accused denied the rape allegations saying he was in a relationship with the complainant from May and slept with her twice in the bush in July after which, according to him, she had consented to.
He further indicated that the complainant had lied about her age saying she was 18.
