News / National
Man in court for raping' neighbour's daughter
24 Aug 2017 at 03:52hrs | Views
A ZIMBABWE Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer accused of raping his 13-year-old neighbour's daughter has told the court that he was in a love relationship with the complainant.
Kudzai Mukatawira (32), who is stationed at Khami Prison, allegedly gained entry into his neighbour's house through a window and raped his 13-year-old daughter. He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza facing rape and unlawful entry charges.
He was remanded to September 4 for continuation of trial. Mukatawira is out of custody on $300 bail. In his defence, Mukatawira said the charges were fabricated. He also denied having sex with the complainant.
Mukatawira said the complainant alleged that he raped her after they were caught by his ex-girlfriend and the complainant's sister at the victim's bedroom.
"I was actually in a relationship with the complainant. In fact, my jealous ex-girlfriend and the complainant's sister came and knocked at the door to the complainant's bedroom and found the two of us," said Mukatawira.
"My ex-girlfriend confronted me and alleged that she heard sounds of moaning and groaning, an indication that we were having sex.
"The complainant panicked and jumped out of the room through the window. She then lied to her aunt claiming that I had raped her to cover up," said the accused person.
Prosecuting, Mr Simbarashe Manyiwa said on September 29 last year at around 12 midnight, Mukatawira gained entry into the girl's room through a window. He allegedly threatened to harm the girl if she raised alarm before switching on the light.
"Mukatawira locked the girl inside and undressed her. He went on to rape her once and immediately dressed up. He then removed keys that were hanging from the door preventing the girl from leaving the room," said Mr Manyiwa.
The court heard that the girl put on her clothes and jumped out of the room using the same window that Mukatawira used to gain entry. Outside the room she met her sister who was awakened by the noise and failed to tell her what had happened.
"However, before Mukatawira escaped, he was spotted through a window by a neighbour as well as the girl's sister. He shouted at the children telling them that they should mind their own business," said Mr Manyiwa.
On October 12, the girl gathered enough courage and narrated her ordeal to her aunt. The girl was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for a medical examination and a report was made to the police leading to Mukatawira's arrest.
The complainant, who testified in camera, stuck to her story. She told the court that the accused sneaked into her room while she was asleep.
"He gained entry into my room through the window while I was in bed. He threatened to harm me if I screamed before switching on the light and raping me," she said.
Kudzai Mukatawira (32), who is stationed at Khami Prison, allegedly gained entry into his neighbour's house through a window and raped his 13-year-old daughter. He pleaded not guilty when he appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza facing rape and unlawful entry charges.
He was remanded to September 4 for continuation of trial. Mukatawira is out of custody on $300 bail. In his defence, Mukatawira said the charges were fabricated. He also denied having sex with the complainant.
Mukatawira said the complainant alleged that he raped her after they were caught by his ex-girlfriend and the complainant's sister at the victim's bedroom.
"I was actually in a relationship with the complainant. In fact, my jealous ex-girlfriend and the complainant's sister came and knocked at the door to the complainant's bedroom and found the two of us," said Mukatawira.
"My ex-girlfriend confronted me and alleged that she heard sounds of moaning and groaning, an indication that we were having sex.
"The complainant panicked and jumped out of the room through the window. She then lied to her aunt claiming that I had raped her to cover up," said the accused person.
"Mukatawira locked the girl inside and undressed her. He went on to rape her once and immediately dressed up. He then removed keys that were hanging from the door preventing the girl from leaving the room," said Mr Manyiwa.
The court heard that the girl put on her clothes and jumped out of the room using the same window that Mukatawira used to gain entry. Outside the room she met her sister who was awakened by the noise and failed to tell her what had happened.
"However, before Mukatawira escaped, he was spotted through a window by a neighbour as well as the girl's sister. He shouted at the children telling them that they should mind their own business," said Mr Manyiwa.
On October 12, the girl gathered enough courage and narrated her ordeal to her aunt. The girl was taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for a medical examination and a report was made to the police leading to Mukatawira's arrest.
The complainant, who testified in camera, stuck to her story. She told the court that the accused sneaked into her room while she was asleep.
"He gained entry into my room through the window while I was in bed. He threatened to harm me if I screamed before switching on the light and raping me," she said.
Source - chronicle
