Unpaid labour for bedding minor

Lesley Chikudo, chikudolesley@gmail.com 

A 22-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man was on Tuesday ordered to perform 735 hours of community for sleeping with a 14-year-old juvenile.

Thabani Ncube of Cowdray Park suburb was convicted of having sexual intercourse with a minor by West Commonage magistrate, Mrs Lenia Khumalo.

Ncube was sentenced to 30 months’ imprisonment of which nine were suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within this period.

The remaining 21 months were suspended on condition that he completes 735 hours of community service at Godlwayo Primary School.

In passing the sentence, Mrs Khumalo expressed concern over the prevalence of cases of a sexual nature, saying there is a need for the court to protect the girl child by passing harsh sentences on perpetrators.

“Cases that involve sexual relationships with juveniles are now on the rise; there is a need to send a clear message to would-be offenders that the law does not tolerate such behaviour,” she said.

Prosecutor, Ms Audrey Kufandikanwe, said the incident happened sometime in August last year when the girl had visited Ncube at his place of residence.

The two had consensual sexual intercourse.

“The complainant would visit the offender at his house and sleep with him and this happened several times,” she said.

In his defence, Ncube said that the girl had lied about her age.

“I did not know that she was a juvenile since she had lied to me. We were in a relationship and she had consented to sexual intercourse,” he said.

The matter came to light when Ncube and the girl were seen by her mother in a compromising position. She reported the matter to the police leading to Ncube’s arrest.

Meanwhile, a Bulawayo man appeared before West Commonage magistrate, Mr Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe, for allegedly assaulting his traditional healer neighbour following a misunderstanding.

Elias Muzinziwa (27) of Emthunzini suburb is facing an assault charge. He was granted US$100 bail and will return to court on January 6.

Prosecutor, Ms Kufandikanwe, said the alleged offence was committed sometime in October last year.

“Muzinziwa and Mr Lawrence Mathe were drinking beer together at their neighbour’s place when Mr Mathe decided to leave the place intending to attend to one of his patients,” she said.

The court heard that Mr Mathe left and asked one Felistas to carry his beer to his house. Within a few minutes, after Felistas had left his house, she came back and informed him that Muzinziwa wanted him at his place of residence.

“Mr Mathe went to Muzinziwa’s place of residence. Upon arrival, the accused punched him resulting in him sustaining facial bruises” said Ms Kufandikanwe. 

A report was made to the police leading to Muzinziwa’s arrest.