Minor raped at memorial service

IN A bizarre sexual attack that stunned villagers, a 32-year-old Buhera man reportedly dragged a young girl from a memorial service to a nearby river, filled her mouth with sand and raped her.

The suspect, David Tamai, appeared before Rusape Magistrates’ Court charged with rape.

Tamai denied raping the Grade 2 pupil when he appeared before magistrate Mr Livingstone Chipadza.

Prosecutor Mr Tirivanhu Mutsasira alleged that on October 21 last year, the four-yearold girl attended her relative’s memorial service along with her mother.

The court heard that at around 6.30pm, Tamai called the girl along with three other minors and asked them to accompany him to a nearby bush, where he wanted to get a tree bark.

Tamai told the girls that he wanted to use the tree bark to tie a tent which was pitched at the homestead where the memorial service was being held.

The court heard that along the way, Tamai suddenly grabbed the girl and placed her on his shoulders.

The other minors managed to escape.

Tamai took the girl to the river, which is about 500 metres from the homestead where the memorial service was being conducted.

Upon arrival at the river bank, Tamai is alleged to have laid down the girl, who all the while was screaming for help.

He allegedly took sand and placed it in the girl’s mouth in a bid to stop her from screaming, before raping her.

After the sexual attack, Tamai is alleged to have left the minor lying unconscious before vanishing.

The girl, who was later found by passers-by, was taken to her mother, who noticed some blood stains on her private parts.

Upon gaining consciousness, the four-year-old narrated her ordeal.

The minors, who had previously fled also corroborated her story.

A report was lodged with the police, leading to Tamai’s arrest.

He is expected back in court on March 3 for trial continuation.