Man buys rape victim's silence with $1

A FORM Four pupil at a local secondary school has blamed his former step-father for producing poor results, as she could not concentrate after he raped her and tried to buy her silence with $1.

The man (43) from Cowdray Park suburb who is also employed at the National Railways of Zimbabwe, appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Temba Chimiso facing rape charges. He was remanded out of custody to 14 June for trial.

It is alleged that the girl's mother separated with the accused after a misunderstanding, before she knew that he had raped her daughter. Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Mageza said sometime last year, the girl was asleep in her bedroom and her mother had gone to South Africa.

"He entered the girl's bedroom and found her asleep, he then locked the door and slept next to her. The girl was awakened by his movements and he quickly covered her mouth using his hand. He then removed the girl's pants and also unzipped his trousers. He had sexual intercourse with her once, without her consent and without protection," he said.

The court heard that after raping her, he gave the girl $1 and ordered her not to tell anyone what had happened.

"The matter came to light when the girl's mother separated with the accused after having a misunderstanding concerning the girl's poor results at school. The girl told her mother what had happened when she was not around and she accompanied her to the police to report the case," said Mr Mufaro.

The girl was referred to Mpilo Central Hospital for medical examination.