A 22-year-old commuter omnibus driver from Masvingo area, Zimbabwe has been has been dragged before the courts for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl.
The girl was reportedly on her way to school in South Africa. Courage Madanha was remanded in custody to Monday by Chivi magistrate, Mr Francis Mapfumo. He was however advised apply for bail at the High Court.
State prosecutor, Mr Nixon Chamisa told the court that on 11 July at about 6pm, the girl was accompanied by her mother to the bus stop from her place in Zvishavane.
It is said that she boarded a commuter omnibus, driven by Madanha to Ngundu where she intended to get a lift to South Africa via Beitbridge.
Madanha reportedly drove and it is said that when he got to Chivi turn off, all other passengers had dropped and he was alone with the girl.
The accused is then said to have refused to proceed to Ngundu but instead offered to find the girl accommodation at Chivi growth point.
The court heard that Madanha took the girl to a friend's house where he sought accommodation for the night.
The court further heard that after being offered accommodation, Madanha briefly went out, came back and switched off the lights.
The girl reportedly queried why he was switching off the lights but Madanha allegedly threatened to throw the girl out of the room if she challenged him.
The court heard that Madanha raped her three times before taking her to Chivi turn-off where she got a lift in a haulage truck, to South Africa.
The court was told that when the girl arrived at her aunt's place in South Africa, she narrated her ordeal.
Her aunt quickly made a report to the police in South Africa who together with their counterparts in Zimbabwe led to Madanha's arrest.
- Newsbite
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