A 20-year-old gardener from Bulawayo has been accused of indecently assaulting his employer’s 11-year-old granddaughter on five separate occasions.
The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mrs Evia Matura on charges of indecent assault.
The alleged lula lula incidents took place between November 2023 and 31 July 2024 at the victim’s home in Northend Suburb, where the accused worked as a gardener. At law, the 11-year-old juvenile is way below the age of consent, which is 18 years.
According to the State’s case, presented by Mr Mehluli Ndlovu, the first incident occurred when the accused approached the bathroom window where the victim was bathing and peered inside. When the victim tried to close the window, the accused inserted his hand and fondled her breasts.
On another occasion, the accused called the complainant outside, claiming her mother was calling her. He then proceeded to fondle her breasts and buttocks without her consent.
The court heard that in a further incident, the accused called the complainant outside the house and, upon her arrival, inserted his hands inside her underwear, caressing her private parts while holding her tightly to prevent her from escaping.
In another alleged incident, the accused inserted his hands inside the complainant’s pants, felt a sanitary pad, and then released her.
The matter came to light when the complainant confided in her teacher about her ordeal. She was then escorted to Khumalo police station to make a police report.
The magistrate remanded the accused in custody until 25 September for the continuation of the trial.
