Buhera – A 13-year-old girl from Buhera was allegedly kidnapped by her friend and the friend’s mother and forced into prostitution, where she was repeatedly raped by numerous men without protection, with the two accused profiting from the exploitation.
Lisa Gosho (19) and her mother, Nyaradzai Chitsamba (38), appeared before Rusape regional magistrate, Mr Francis Mapfumo, facing charges of kidnapping under Section 93(1) (b) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
The charge relates to unlawfully depriving a person of their freedom and the opportunity to move freely.
The two accused were denied bail and will return to court soon.
Prosecutor Event Dhliwayo presented the harrowing details of the case to the court, explaining how Gosho lured the child to her mother’s house under the pretext of collecting mangoes.
The girl was then allegedly held captive for 12 days, forced into prostitution, and only allowed out to meet various men who repeatedly raped her at Murambinda Town Centre.
“The case of the missing child was reported by her guardian on 4 January this year at ZRP Murambinda. Lisa Gosho and the complainant are friends, and Nyaradzai Chitsamba is Gosho’s mother.
“On 3 January at 11am at Murambinda Town Centre, Gosho approached the complainant, who was playing with her friends, and asked her to accompany her to her home to collect mangoes. The child, who suspected nothing, agreed, and upon arrival, she introduced her to Chitsamba as her friend.
“That evening, Gosho took the complainant to a single-roomed house in Jaru township, where she locked her in and prevented her from going home, subsequently hiring various men who took turns raping her without protection, with her (Gosho) receiving payment,” said Ms Dhliwayo.
It is alleged that the following day, the child was taken to another township near Murambinda Town Centre, where she was again raped by numerous men.
“Chitsamba locked the child in the house, only providing her with a bucket to use as a toilet and only letting her out at night. The child was unable to see any neighbours. Gosho would take the child at night to Murambinda Town Centre, where she forced her to have sex with various men. After they returned, Gosho would lock the child in the house,” she said.
The case reportedly came to light on 15 January when her guardian was tipped off that she had been seen in Dave’s township and subsequently assisted the police in searching for her.
Upon arrival at the location, they encountered Chitsamba, who denied ever meeting the child.
“Despite Chitsamba’s denial, the police proceeded to search the house and found the complainant hidden behind a door in the kitchen,” said Ms Dhliwayo.
The child was rescued and taken to Murambinda Mission Hospital for treatment.
Medical examinations confirmed that she had been sexually abused.
