Rutendo Chitore
GWERU – An 84-year-old man, Forward Akundile, recently appeared before magistrate Morgan Nemadire here on charges of raping a nine-year-old daughter of his former tenant.
The State’s case, as presented by prosecutor Lloyd Mavhisa, are that on May 5, 2017 at around 14:00 hrs, the complainant and her brother, aged 12 years, were sent by their mother to her friend’s place to collect a disc.
The girl was left by her brother by the road near the accused’s place and the brother was accompanied with his friend.
The complainant then entered Akundile’s gate, greeted him and sat on one of the chair which was in the garden.
Akundile unlocked one of his tenants’ door and told the child to enter into the room and promised to give her money if she obeyed his instructions.
Akundile lifted the child and made her to lie facing upwards on the bed before threatening to beat her up if she made any noise.
The State alleges that Akundile removed the girl’s underwear and raped her once after which he gave the little girl a dollar to buy her silence.
An aunt later noticed that the girl was acting strangely and when she quizzed her, the girl disclosed the matter.
The matter was reported to Nehanda Police Station leading to Akundile’s arrest.
Akundile denied the charges saying he was being framed by a scornful relative whom he kicked out of his house for failure to pay rentals.
The case was posted to a further date for sentencing.
