A 25-YEAR-OLD Gwanda man appeared in court last Thursday facing charges of raping his 13-year-old stepdaughter.
ALBERT NCUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT
The man from Phakama high-density suburb, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the girl, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Gwanda magistrate Olivia Mashava Mashaire.
He was remanded in custody to August 14 and advised to apply to the High Court for bail.
The State said the stepfather arrived home on an unspecified date and found the girl alone. He called her to his bedroom where he allegedly forced himself on her.
The girl was taken to hospital for medical examination and the report compiled by a doctor indicated that she was sexually abused.
In opposing bail, the investigating officer said the accused resided with the complainant and was a flight risk since he was a nomadic gold panner.
The stepfather told the court that he had been over-detained beyond the stipulated 48 hours when asked by the magistrate if he had any complaints against the police.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He said he was arrested last Monday, but was only brought to court yesterday.
Mashaire ordered the State to investigate the claims.
According to the new Constitution, suspects should be brought to court within 48 hours of their detention.
