News / Regional
Pregnant pupil withdraws rape charges
13 Oct 2015 at 01:34hrs | Views
A Form Three pupil from a school in Matabeleland South yesterday withdrew rape charges against her alleged rapist who impregnated her.
In an affidavit submitted before regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere, the girl's grandmother asked the prosecution, led by Trust Muduma, to drop the rape charges against Notice Ndlovu, a herdsman.
The girl reportedly implicated Ndlovu when her grandparents noticed her bulging tummy, leading to his arrest. "I wish to withdraw charges against Notice Ndlovu because he promised to take care of my granddaughter. He also promised to support his child by buying preparatory clothes before delivery," said the woman.
The grandmother begged the court to consider her reasons and withdraw the charges. "He also apologised for what he did to my child and I pray the court understands these are the reasons that led me to withdraw the charges." Muduma consented to the application.
Magistrate Mberewere, however, warned Ndlovu to stop committing sexual offences. "The fact that this matter has been withdrawn does not give you a licence to go around engaging in sex without consent. You spent months in custody and I hope that will deter you from committing sexual crimes," he said.
Muduma said sometime in March, Ndlovu was left alone with the girl who was performing domestic chores while her grandmother was attending a meeting at a school. "At around 2:30pm, the two were resting in their bedrooms and Ndlovu called the girl to his room and the girl complied. He then inquired about the whereabouts of his catapult and the girl professed ignorance," said Muduma.
Ndlovu allegedly asked the girl to enter his bedroom and when she refused, he grabbed her and threatened to assault her if she made any noise. "Ndlovu then raped the girl once and gave her 60 rand. The matter came to light when the girl's grandmother discovered that she was pregnant leading to Ndlovu's arrest."
In an affidavit submitted before regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere, the girl's grandmother asked the prosecution, led by Trust Muduma, to drop the rape charges against Notice Ndlovu, a herdsman.
The girl reportedly implicated Ndlovu when her grandparents noticed her bulging tummy, leading to his arrest. "I wish to withdraw charges against Notice Ndlovu because he promised to take care of my granddaughter. He also promised to support his child by buying preparatory clothes before delivery," said the woman.
Magistrate Mberewere, however, warned Ndlovu to stop committing sexual offences. "The fact that this matter has been withdrawn does not give you a licence to go around engaging in sex without consent. You spent months in custody and I hope that will deter you from committing sexual crimes," he said.
Muduma said sometime in March, Ndlovu was left alone with the girl who was performing domestic chores while her grandmother was attending a meeting at a school. "At around 2:30pm, the two were resting in their bedrooms and Ndlovu called the girl to his room and the girl complied. He then inquired about the whereabouts of his catapult and the girl professed ignorance," said Muduma.
Ndlovu allegedly asked the girl to enter his bedroom and when she refused, he grabbed her and threatened to assault her if she made any noise. "Ndlovu then raped the girl once and gave her 60 rand. The matter came to light when the girl's grandmother discovered that she was pregnant leading to Ndlovu's arrest."
Source - the herald
