Man arrested for ‘raping’ daughter

A 41-YEAR-OLD man from Tsholotsho has appeared in court for allegedly raping his 14-year-old daughter.

The accused person appeared before Bulawayo Regional magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mnkandla who remanded him in custody to March 5 for continuation of trial.

The two reside in the same homestead in Mbalibali.

The accused denied the allegations saying: “How can l have raped my own daughter, l am not guilty. There should be someone else who might have raped her who is not me.”

Ms Concilia Ncube for the State said on October 2 last year at around 10AM, the accused person went to the shops near his homestead to drink beer.

She said the man went back to his house at around 7PM and found the complainant at home with her sister and grandmother.

“The accused person went outside the yard and stood at the gate, called the complainant stating that he wanted to send her to their neighbour’s homestead.

“The complainant proceeded to her father. They walked a distance from their homestead and reached a nearby bushy area,” said Ms Ncube.

The court heard that accused person removed his belt and threatened to assault the complainant if she refused to comply with any of his orders.

“The accused person force marched the complainant into the bush, laid his jacket down and then ordered her to lie down facing upwards. He undressed himself and allegedly raped his daughter without protection,” said Ms Ncube.

After the act, the man allegedly instructed the complainant to put on her clothes and they both returned home.

When they arrived home, the complainant’s mother noticed that the complainant had grass on her clothes and head.

Upon inquiry, the complainant revealed that the accused person raped her, the court heard.

The complainant’s mother escorted her to the police and filed a report.

The complainant was taken to Tsholotsho District Hospital for medical examination.

The medical report was produced in court as an exhibit. — @gwizi_n.