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Bus fare rape accused acquitted

by Thandeka Moyo
19 Feb 2016 at 06:13hrs | Views
A MAN who was being accused of raping a 17-year-old girl after helping her with transport money from Binga, has been acquitted.

Brian Dlamini from Bulawayo's Entumbane suburb was arrested after his tenants told the girl's mother that he had abused her.

The case was reported months after the alleged sex attack.

Regional magistrate Chrispen Mberewere said prosecutors had failed to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt.

"In coming up with the judgment the court considered the evidence that has been brought so far. It's clear that the woman was not raped hence her silence for many months," said magistrate Mberewere before acquitting Dlamini.

Prosecuting, Trust Muduma told the court that last year in May, the girl boarded a bus from Binga to Bulawayo without money after a relative arranged for Dlamini to pay for her in Bulawayo.

Dlamini, the court heard, met her at Entumbane Bus Terminus.

"Dlamini took her to his home in the same suburb and made her tea. At around 4PM, the girl asked him to go her to her uncle in Lobengula but Dlamini dismissed the request saying it was too late," he said.

"After some time he gave the girl some blankets and told her they would share a room for the night. Dlamini then asked the girl if they could have intercourse and the girl refused and went to his tenant's room to watch a television".

The court heard that during the night Dlamini assaulted and raped the girl once.

"On the following day, Dlamini took the girl half way to Lobengula and left her. The girl continued with her journey and got to her uncle's place before she went to live with her mother in Matopo," said Muduma.

Source - chronicle