Stepmom embarrassed in court

A SIX-year-old boy yesterday embarrassed his step-mother in court during proceedings when he told the magistrate he had been told to lie against his uncle.

The boy's step mother, Millicent Mapfumo, is a member of the Zimbabwe National Army.

The minor was the complainant in a matter in which his uncle, Munashe Sande, 19, was facing aggravated indecent assault charges.

According to the State led by prosecutor Rudo Chasi, charges against Sande were that he had anal sex with the minor.

When the trial opened, Sande, who was represented by Ashley Mugiya, pleaded not guilty saying relations between him and Mapfumo were tainted as the latter was having domestic problems and that she reported the matter out of malice.

When the prosecution led the minor in giving his evidence, he exonerated his uncle.

"I was never indecently assaulted by the accused person as it is being said. It is my stepmom who told me to lie against the accused person," said the minor.

The prosecution then withdrew charges leading to the acquittal of Sande.

"On the basis that the complainant told the court that he was never indecently assaulted by the accused, I am duty bound as officer of this court to withdraw charges on the basis that complainant was told to press charges by Millicent Mapfumo," said the prosecutor.

Mugiya then moved for the arrest of Mapfumo.

"I move for the arrest of Millicent Mapfumo. Millicent Mapfumo made a false report to the police. If an order be given by this court that the matter be investigated, it will bring sanity that the court means business.

"It will also be a warning that people should not abuse the criminal justice system for selfish ends," said Mugiya.

Harare regional magistrate Lucy Mungwari ordered police to investigate Mapfumo while acquitting Sande.