Cop in trouble over sodomy allegations

A POLICE officer based in Hwange appeared in court yesterday charged with indecent assault after he allegedly sodomised a teenage boy from his neighbourhood over a period of three years.

This was heard when Nelson Tuta (33) appeared before magistrate Colet Ncube on charges of indecent assault.

Prosecutor Tinomupeyi Mbiza told the court that on three occasions since 2014, Tuta sodomised the teenager at his place of residence and in the bush until a report was made this year.

Tuta denied the charge through his lawyer, Thulani Nkala, arguing that the charges were fabricated to fix him after he caused the complainant's arrest for driving his car without his consent and getting involved in an accident.

He claimed that prior to the criminal case, he used to treat the minor as his younger brother.

But the minor insisted that Tuta sodomised him on three occasions and bought him a cellphone to silence him.

"Last year, when we were drinking beer at Hwange truck stop, Tuta saw that I was now drunk and he led me to a nearby bush and sucked my manhood and it was painful. It is something that had been ongoing for three years, but I was scared to report, as he is a police officer and a family friend."

The matter was remanded to April 23.

Tuta is out of custody on $50 bail.