Woman conceals niece rape in exchange for $1

A 22-year-old Bulawayo woman, Nomathemba Ncube, allegedly concealed her 12-year-old niece's rape ordeal in exchange for $1.

Ncube appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Themba Chimiso facing a charge of defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

She was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to December 24.

Ruvimbo Chanduru for the state told the  court that on November 15 at about 10PM,   Mthabisi Mkandla visited Ncube's house in Pumula South suburb.

He proceeded to the bedroom where Ncube's niece was sleeping and ordered her not to make noise before he forced himself on her.

The following day the juvenile reported what had happened to Ncube who was her guardian.

Ncube then called Mkandla back to her house and the two allegedly agreed to give the complainant $1 to buy her silence.

Ncube gave the money to the girl and told her not to report the matter to the police or tell anyone about her ordeal, the court heard.

The matter came to light when the girl narrated what had happened to her mother who was out of the country at the time Mkandla allegedly committed the offence.

The girl's mother reported the matter to the police leading to Ncube's arrest.