Zvikomborero Parafini
A 59-YEAR-OLD old man has been accused of attempting and failing to rape his teenage niece.
The incident happened last weekend.
Stephen Mutero, of Zimre Park, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Tilda Mazhande who granted him US$200 bail.
The complainant is 17-years-old.
Allegations are that on January 9, the child was at home when she received a phone call from her uncle who stated that he was at the gate.
He asked her to open the gate for him.
When he entered the house, it is alleged Mutero sat on the sofa while the girl went to the kitchen to continue with her supper preparations.
The court heard that Mutero followed the girl and lifted her up, took her to the spare bedroom where another child was sleeping on the bed.
Mutero allegedly went to the kitchen and closed all the curtains and he started fondling the girl in her private parts and also ordered her to touch his private parts.
As he attempted to remove her shorts, the girl managed to escape and ran to another bedroom.
Soon after, the girl’s sister knocked on the gate and she opened the door for her.
Mutero then gave the children US$2 each before he left.
The matter came to light when the girl’s mother returned home later that night and noticed that her teenage daughter was very upset.
When she asked why she appeared very angry, the girl revealed what Mutero had done to her.
A police report was filed and Mutero was arrested.
