News / Regional
Man tries to rape girl (6) in supermarket
03 Apr 2013 at 00:49hrs | Views
A GWERU man recently stunned shoppers in a city supermarket when he allegedly lifted a six-year-old girl into the confectionery section where he attempted to rape her.
Bhekimpilo Mpofu (29) of Mkoba Village 13 was yesterday arraigned before Gweru magistrate, Ms Sithembiso Ncube facing an indecent assault charge.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to 5 April.
For the State, Miss Yeukai Mugumba told the court that on 18 March, the complainant, a six-year-old girl, was sent by her mother to go and buy bread at DCK Supermarket in Gweru's Central Business District.
Miss Mugumba said while the girl was at the bread shelves, Mpofu lifted her and quickly entered the confectionery section.
The court heard that Mpofu lowered the girl's panties and started caressing her.
Ms Mugumba said some shoppers alerted the supermarket security personnel after the girl screamed for help.
She said Mpofu was arrested by the supermarket's security officers and surrendered to the police at Gweru Central Police Station.
Meanwhile, a Gweru-based freelance journalist, Maxwell Katakamba, was yesterday arraigned before Gweru provincial magistrate Mr Sithembinkosi Msipa facing a charge of stealing a fellow journalist's I-Pad.
Katakamba, who runs a Facebook-based online publication, Nhasi MuGweru, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to 5 April.
For the State, Mr Bonface Balamanja, told the court that on 18 February, Katakamba met the complainant, a fellow freelance journalist, Ms Tendai Manhundu, to discuss business in the city centre.
The court heard that after their discussion, Katakamba asked about the I-Pad which the complainant was holding.
The court heard that Ms Manhundu told him that the I-Pad was on sale.
Mr Balamanja said Ms Manhundu later gave Katakamba the I-Pad for him to sell on her behalf after he indicated that he could get a buyer for it.
The court heard that Katakamba, however, took the I-Pad and began using it.
Ms Manhundu reported the matter to the police after she failed to get hold of Katakamba.
Katakamba was arrested and the I-Pad was recovered.
Bhekimpilo Mpofu (29) of Mkoba Village 13 was yesterday arraigned before Gweru magistrate, Ms Sithembiso Ncube facing an indecent assault charge.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody to 5 April.
For the State, Miss Yeukai Mugumba told the court that on 18 March, the complainant, a six-year-old girl, was sent by her mother to go and buy bread at DCK Supermarket in Gweru's Central Business District.
Miss Mugumba said while the girl was at the bread shelves, Mpofu lifted her and quickly entered the confectionery section.
The court heard that Mpofu lowered the girl's panties and started caressing her.
Ms Mugumba said some shoppers alerted the supermarket security personnel after the girl screamed for help.
She said Mpofu was arrested by the supermarket's security officers and surrendered to the police at Gweru Central Police Station.
Meanwhile, a Gweru-based freelance journalist, Maxwell Katakamba, was yesterday arraigned before Gweru provincial magistrate Mr Sithembinkosi Msipa facing a charge of stealing a fellow journalist's I-Pad.
Katakamba, who runs a Facebook-based online publication, Nhasi MuGweru, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded in custody to 5 April.
For the State, Mr Bonface Balamanja, told the court that on 18 February, Katakamba met the complainant, a fellow freelance journalist, Ms Tendai Manhundu, to discuss business in the city centre.
The court heard that after their discussion, Katakamba asked about the I-Pad which the complainant was holding.
The court heard that Ms Manhundu told him that the I-Pad was on sale.
Mr Balamanja said Ms Manhundu later gave Katakamba the I-Pad for him to sell on her behalf after he indicated that he could get a buyer for it.
The court heard that Katakamba, however, took the I-Pad and began using it.
Ms Manhundu reported the matter to the police after she failed to get hold of Katakamba.
Katakamba was arrested and the I-Pad was recovered.
Source - TC
