Man sexually assaults niece

A CHIKANGA man who allegedly failed to restrain his sexual appetite and decided to act on his 10-yearold niece has been hauled before Mutare Magistrates’ Criminal Court.

Thomas Nhukarume (59) is being accused of undressing his niece as she slept and sliding his fingers into her private parts after having been left looking after the child by her mother. He denied the charges when he appeared before Mutare Magistrate Mr Innocent Bepura recently.

He is being charged with indecent assault as defined in Section 67 (a) (i) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23

He was granted $100 bail. The matter goes to trial on December 28. Mr Fletcher Karombe represented the State.

Allegations were that the minor had been left in Nhukarume’s care by her mother who had travelled to Harare for a church service. On November 8, the minor fell asleep while seated on a sofa watching television with Nhukarume.

She was seated closer to him. When she later woke up, the minor discovered that she was now facing Nhukarume and her dress had been pulled up to her waist, leaving her naked from her legs going down. Her pant had also been removed. Nhukarume is alleged to have one of his hands on the minor’s waist while the other caressed her private parts.

When he saw that she had woken up, he is further alleged to have instructed the minor to use the toilet before she went to bed. She took her panties and left for her bedroom.

“On the following day, the minor went to school and reported the matter to her teacher who then decided to make a police report.

“She was referred to Mutare Provincial Hospital where she was medically examined,” alleged Mr Karombe.