10-year-old raped in pumpkin field

A 72-year-old Harare man raped his tenant’s 10-year-old daughter after promising to give her pumpkins growing in his garden when they are ripe, the court heard yesterday.

Richard Nhamo was facing rape charges when he appeared yesterday before magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

He was remanded in custody and ordered to apply for bail at the High Court.

He will be back in court on March 8 for continuation of his trial.

Allegations are that on February 21, at around 4pm, the minor was at home with her parents when she decided to go outside to play.

The court heard that Nhamo saw the minor playing alone and called her to his garden where he started showing her his pumpkins which he promised to give her when they were ripe.

Prosecutor Mr Peter Kachirika alleged that he took advantage that they were at a secluded place and pushed the minor to the ground before raping her.

The court heard that the minor resisted Nhamo’s actions by pushing him away and tried to scream to no avail.
It is alleged that Nhamo asked the minor if it was painful and the minor managed to get up and rushed home to her parents leading to Nhamo’s arrest.

Meanwhile, a Harare man on Monday appeared in court on allegations of manufacturing fake national documents and defrauding unsuspecting people of their money.

Trevor Matanhire (41) was charged with possession of articles for criminal abuse when he appeared before magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

He will be back in court on March 29.

He was granted $100 bail.

As part of his bail conditions Matanhire was ordered to reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses.

Allegations are that on February 16, at around 11am, police details from Harare Crime Prevention Unit received information that Matanhire was manufacturing fake documents and defrauding people.

The court heard that acting on a tip- off, the police pounced on Matanhire and recovered two fake driver’s licences, three fake certificates of competence, one fake Zimsec Ordinary Level certificate, two fake national diplomas, three fake Central Vehicle Registry confirmation letters and two fake birth certificates.

In total Matanhire was caught with 13 fake documents and he was immediately arrested.

herald