A 27-year-old man from Malusungane last week appeared before Beitbridge regional magistrate, Trinos Wutawashe facing charges of raping his 13-year-old sister in law at her homestead.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the victim, pleaded not guilty of the rape charge but was remanded in custody for his next appearance due for August 17.
It is the State’s case that on the April 21 this year, the complainant was alone at her homestead as her mother had been admitted at a nearby clinic.
In the middle of the night, the accused who is husband to the victim’s sister, allegedly came to her room calling her name.
She went to open the door and found him standing outside her door with a bottle of Skippers brandy in his hand.
The court further heard that the accused then forced his way into the room demanding to stay the night claiming that his wife, the complainant’s sister was not around.
After attempts by the girl to reason with him failed, he allegedly overpowered her and raped her once.
Soon after the ordeal, the complainant rushed to a neighbouring home and explained to elders what had happened to her. tell zimbabwe
