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Woman accused of sexually assaulting 16-year-old boy pleads not guilty
1 hr ago |
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United States-based woman, Zvikomborero Maria Makedenge, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated indecent assault before Harare regional magistrate Noel Mupeiwa.
Makedenge, represented by lawyer Lenon Rwizi, denied the allegations, insisting she was never involved in the offence as outlined by the State.
According to her defence, on August 2, 2025, at around 11:00am, while at the complainant's residence, the 16-year-old allegedly approached her complaining of severe flu and a headache. Rwizi told the court that Makedenge prepared a ginger drink and promised to look for paracetamol tablets.
The defence further argued that the complainant later made sexual advances towards Makedenge, which she rejected and reprimanded him. Makedenge claimed the teenager fabricated the allegations out of fear she would disclose the incident to her boyfriend, who is closely related to him. She also alleged that her boyfriend's family sought to frame her, as they had never accepted her as a prospective wife.
The public gallery was cleared to allow the underage complainant to testify.
The State alleges that on the same day, Makedenge asked the complainant for a broom. After handing it to her, the teenager went to his spare bedroom. It is claimed that Makedenge followed him, closed the door, twisted his arm until he was powerless, tied his hands with an electric cable, and pushed him onto the bed.
She allegedly removed his trousers and forcibly engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse without his consent. Afterward, she is said to have untied him and warned him not to disclose the matter, promising to take him to the United Kingdom where she is formally employed.
The complainant later reported the incident to his sister in Mbare, who informed their mother. The matter was subsequently reported at Mbare Police Station, leading to Makedenge's arrest.
The complainant was medically examined, and the prosecution indicated that a medical affidavit will be produced in court as evidence.
Makedenge, represented by lawyer Lenon Rwizi, denied the allegations, insisting she was never involved in the offence as outlined by the State.
According to her defence, on August 2, 2025, at around 11:00am, while at the complainant's residence, the 16-year-old allegedly approached her complaining of severe flu and a headache. Rwizi told the court that Makedenge prepared a ginger drink and promised to look for paracetamol tablets.
The defence further argued that the complainant later made sexual advances towards Makedenge, which she rejected and reprimanded him. Makedenge claimed the teenager fabricated the allegations out of fear she would disclose the incident to her boyfriend, who is closely related to him. She also alleged that her boyfriend's family sought to frame her, as they had never accepted her as a prospective wife.
The public gallery was cleared to allow the underage complainant to testify.
The State alleges that on the same day, Makedenge asked the complainant for a broom. After handing it to her, the teenager went to his spare bedroom. It is claimed that Makedenge followed him, closed the door, twisted his arm until he was powerless, tied his hands with an electric cable, and pushed him onto the bed.
She allegedly removed his trousers and forcibly engaged in unprotected sexual intercourse without his consent. Afterward, she is said to have untied him and warned him not to disclose the matter, promising to take him to the United Kingdom where she is formally employed.
The complainant later reported the incident to his sister in Mbare, who informed their mother. The matter was subsequently reported at Mbare Police Station, leading to Makedenge's arrest.
The complainant was medically examined, and the prosecution indicated that a medical affidavit will be produced in court as evidence.
Source - Newsday
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