Govt official charged for sexual assault

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MATABELELAND SOUTH provincial Agritex officer Bernard Sibanda, facing charges of sexually harassing his subordinate, will appear in court later this month

MATABELELAND SOUTH provincial Agritex officer Bernard Sibanda, who is facing charges of sexually harassing his subordinate, will appear in court later this month after his defence team indicated that it was not yet ready for the trial.

ALBERT NCUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT

Sibanda (57) pleaded not guilty to indecent assault charges when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate-in-charge Reuben Mukavhi yesterday. The trial is set to commence on January 23. Sibanda indicated through his lawyer Galen Moyo that he was in the process of seeking an advocate to defend him.

The court heard that on July 27 last year, Sibanda summoned a female subordinate to his office and locked the door before directing her to sit on a sofa. Sibanda allegedly sat next to her and asked to be intimate with her, but she refused.

The complainant tried to get up from the sofa, but Sibanda allegedly grabbed her waist and she fell on his lap.

Sibanda allegedly unzipped his trousers and removed his manhood, but the complainant tightly held her skirt.

Sibanda allegedly begged for sex, but the complainant refused until he unlocked the door and she left his office.

She reported the matter to her immediate boss, the Gwanda district Agritex officer, before making a police report leading to Sibanda’s arrest.