Filabusi – An elderly Filabusi man in Matabeleland South Province, has been arrested for repeatedly sexually abusing his 17-year-old granddaughter. The man who is 78 years old, however, denies ever sampling his granddaughter’s goodies.
According to information obtained in court, the teenager was repeatedly sexually violated by her grandfather during the months of May and July this year. The grandfather whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the minor, is accused of entering his granddaughter’s room at night and touching her inappropriately. This is said to have happened several times over a period of two years.
It is the state’s case that after seeking work in a nearby village, the young woman finally revealed her ordeal to her employer encouraged her to report the case to the police, which led to the grandfather’s arrest.
The accused who was represented in court by his lawyer, Mr Task Vhiki, insists that he only sent his granddaughter packing after she came home late at night. He further claims that this did not go down well with the teenager and a fellow neighbour who then persuaded the young girl to make false rape charges against him.
The court, however, does not believe this story, and more investigations are taking place. A bail has been granted to the accused in this case, and he will be back in court on 5 August. His bail conditions are tight as he has been ordered not to interact with any of the state witnesses. He has also been ordered to report to Filabusi police station twice a week and he must reside at his current place of residence until the case has been finalised.
The case illustrates an ongoing problem of sexual abuse within families. Such incidents often go unreported due to fear, shame and the pressures of living together closely.
