News / National
Teen kidnap suspect names 'boyfriend'
8 hrs ago |
278 Views
A 36-year-old Bulawayo man, Godwell Mumba, appeared in court yesterday accused of having sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl who is also a suspect in the kidnapping of a two-year-old child from Meikles Mall last week.
The toddler was later found unharmed.
Mumba, believed to be a popular kombi driver in the city, appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso facing a charge of having sexual intercourse with a minor as defined in Section 70 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 23 February.
Prosecutor Mr Joseph Rugara told the court that from January this year until last week, Mumba allegedly engaged in sexual relations with the 14-year-old, who cannot be named for ethical and legal reasons.
"From January this year, the accused had consensual sex with the girl on several occasions until last week," the prosecutor said.
Detectives from the Homicide Section arrested Mumba after the teenager allegedly implicated him during police questioning.
The 14-year-old was arrested in connection with the alleged abduction of the toddler at Meikles Mall. According to police, she was found along Herbert Chitepo Street in possession of the child following a tip-off from a vigilant member of the public.
The whistle-blower reportedly told police that the teenager had knocked on his office door while holding the toddler. She allegedly claimed she wanted to leave the child there temporarily, saying her father was just across the street and would collect her shortly.
The man became suspicious after noticing inconsistencies in her explanation about the child's identity. He reviewed circulating footage of the kidnapping and alerted police after recognising the toddler.
During subsequent questioning, the teenager allegedly implicated Mumba as her boyfriend, stating that she had spent several days with him, leading to his arrest.
The two-year-old was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for examination by doctors, who concluded that there was nothing wrong with her.
The toddler was later found unharmed.
Mumba, believed to be a popular kombi driver in the city, appeared before Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate Mr Themba Chimiso facing a charge of having sexual intercourse with a minor as defined in Section 70 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).
He was not asked to plead and was remanded in custody to 23 February.
Prosecutor Mr Joseph Rugara told the court that from January this year until last week, Mumba allegedly engaged in sexual relations with the 14-year-old, who cannot be named for ethical and legal reasons.
"From January this year, the accused had consensual sex with the girl on several occasions until last week," the prosecutor said.
Detectives from the Homicide Section arrested Mumba after the teenager allegedly implicated him during police questioning.
The 14-year-old was arrested in connection with the alleged abduction of the toddler at Meikles Mall. According to police, she was found along Herbert Chitepo Street in possession of the child following a tip-off from a vigilant member of the public.
The whistle-blower reportedly told police that the teenager had knocked on his office door while holding the toddler. She allegedly claimed she wanted to leave the child there temporarily, saying her father was just across the street and would collect her shortly.
The man became suspicious after noticing inconsistencies in her explanation about the child's identity. He reviewed circulating footage of the kidnapping and alerted police after recognising the toddler.
During subsequent questioning, the teenager allegedly implicated Mumba as her boyfriend, stating that she had spent several days with him, leading to his arrest.
The two-year-old was taken to United Bulawayo Hospitals for examination by doctors, who concluded that there was nothing wrong with her.
Source - Sunday News
Join the discussion
Loading comments…
