News / Regional
Pastor acquitted of raping niece
16 Dec 2014 at 08:26hrs | Views
AN Umguza pastor who was facing allegations of turning his niece into a sex slave until she fell pregnant was yesterday acquitted of rape. Lemison Moyo, 33, was over the moon when regional Magistrate Chrispen Mberewere said it was clear that he had consensual sex with his 17-year-old Form Three niece on several occasions and that at law he could not be charged.
Moyo's niece reported four rape incidents but when Moyo was giving his evidence in chief, he told the court that he could not count the times he had unprotected sex using different sex styles with his niece, a daughter to his wife's sister.
"Though it is clear that you had consensual sex with your niece that does not mean it is morally acceptable. You claim to be a married pastor the main reason that made you confess your sexual escapades with your niece was you realised you were losing members. We expect a lot from you and Biblically, you must be engaging in sex with your wife," he said.
Magistrate Mberewere said Moyo who maintained that he was in love with his niece throughout his trial was a free man.
"As her guardian, morally you may be guilty of bedding a relative but we cannot criminalise that as she consented all the way. What Moyo did is shameful because it has been clearly been proven that you were sexually active with her. However, the court finds you not guilty of rape."
An ecstatic Moyo left the court smiling and was joined by his wife and friends in celebrating his freedom.
Moyo confided in a prophet from another church about the year-long sexual encounter, then the woman decided to report the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.
Testifying during the trial, the niece stated that she was still a v*rgin when Moyo started engaging in sex with her from December 2012 to December 2013.
"My uncle used to rape me after discussing with his wife and they would assault me for no reason," she said.
"I finally got fed up and wrote my maternal aunt a letter narrating my ordeal and notifying her that l was contemplating suicide. She fetched me from Moyo's house and took me to her friend who is a prophet and I gathered strength to tell the prophet everything that had happened."
The girl said Moyo used to buy her gifts like underwear, soap and lotion and her aunt, who is married to Moyo, was aware of everything.
"I was so scared and then I failed to tell anyone of the abuse because Moyo would threaten me."
Moyo's niece reported four rape incidents but when Moyo was giving his evidence in chief, he told the court that he could not count the times he had unprotected sex using different sex styles with his niece, a daughter to his wife's sister.
"Though it is clear that you had consensual sex with your niece that does not mean it is morally acceptable. You claim to be a married pastor the main reason that made you confess your sexual escapades with your niece was you realised you were losing members. We expect a lot from you and Biblically, you must be engaging in sex with your wife," he said.
Magistrate Mberewere said Moyo who maintained that he was in love with his niece throughout his trial was a free man.
"As her guardian, morally you may be guilty of bedding a relative but we cannot criminalise that as she consented all the way. What Moyo did is shameful because it has been clearly been proven that you were sexually active with her. However, the court finds you not guilty of rape."
An ecstatic Moyo left the court smiling and was joined by his wife and friends in celebrating his freedom.
Moyo confided in a prophet from another church about the year-long sexual encounter, then the woman decided to report the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.
Testifying during the trial, the niece stated that she was still a v*rgin when Moyo started engaging in sex with her from December 2012 to December 2013.
"My uncle used to rape me after discussing with his wife and they would assault me for no reason," she said.
"I finally got fed up and wrote my maternal aunt a letter narrating my ordeal and notifying her that l was contemplating suicide. She fetched me from Moyo's house and took me to her friend who is a prophet and I gathered strength to tell the prophet everything that had happened."
The girl said Moyo used to buy her gifts like underwear, soap and lotion and her aunt, who is married to Moyo, was aware of everything.
"I was so scared and then I failed to tell anyone of the abuse because Moyo would threaten me."
Source - chronicle
