Khami inmate sneaks into cellmate's blankets, sodomises him

AN inmate at Khami Prison on the outskirts of Bulawayo sneaked into his cellmate's blankets while he was fast asleep and forced himself on him.

The victim sustained anal bruises and bled profusely.

Western Commonage provincial resident magistrate Mr Maphios Willard Moyo heard how Atan Ngwenya (34) in the early hours of 17 November sneaked into his cellmate's blankets and brutally sodomised him.

The complainant, who is aged 26, had to be rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment as a result of the sexual assault.

According to the medical report, the complainant sustained anal bruises and tears.

Prosecuting, Mr Kingston Mukanganwi narrated how Ngwenya, a serving prisoner at Khami Medium Prison, woke up in the early hours and committed the alleged offence clearly taking advantage of the fact that the complainant was fast asleep.

"On 17 November at about 3am, Ngwenya woke up from his blankets and sneaked into his cellmate's. He then lowered down the complainant's pants to knee level and sodomised him," said the prosecutor.

The complainant woke up in a huff and jumped out of the blankets in a state of shock. He reported the matter to the duty prison officer and Ngwenya was apprehended and taken to the police station leading to his arrest.

In his statement in court, the complainant said: "I was sleeping in cell number 11 with 49 other inmates and Ngwenya was sleeping behind me. I then felt some pain and when I woke up I discovered that the accused was molesting me. I quickly grabbed his private part using my right hand and removed it.

"I stood up and alerted other inmates and we reported the matter to the prison officer who was on duty," the victim told the court.

Ngwenya who is now facing charges of aggravated indecent assault is, however, denying the charges.

The magistrate postponed the matter to 5 December.