Brunette Tshuma
Nkosentsha Khumalo
The City of Bulawayo has had a 19 year old tailor arrested on charges of statutory rape after allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a 14 year old girl.
Libery Zhakata, of Makokoba, stands accused of impregnating the 14 year old minor following a consensual relationship that was uncovered when the girl’s mother became aware of the pregnancy.
The case is currently being investigated, and Zhakata is facing potential legal ramifications for his rape allegations.
On October 9, 2024, Libery Zhakata, the 19 year old tailor from Makokoba suburb , in Bulawayo, appeared before the Bulawayo Provincial magistrate Nobuhle Ndlovu to answer for the charges of statutory rape.
The charges emanate from an alleged sexual relationship with a 14 year old girl that resulted in the pregnancy.
The accused person, Zhakata, is currently employed at local clothes manufacturing company as a tailor.
Authorities are investigating the case upon which Zhakata is facing legal penalties for his alleged rape charges.
Court revelations are that Zhakata allegedly proposed a romantic relationship to a 14 year old girl on January 1, 2024, along Makokoba 8th Street, and she accepted his proposal.
The girl, who is said to be a form one student an in Bulawayo, is believed to have entered into the relationship with Zhakata willingly.
However, the nature of their relationship is illegal according to the current laws of the country which resulted in the statutory rape charge of the minor.
As part of the investigation into the alleged statutory rape, state records indicate that the complainant visited the accused, Zhakata, at his house in Makokoba during an unspecified evening in March 2024.
During this visit, the complainant reportedly consented to having unprotected sexual intercourse with her boyfriend Zhakata, which resulted in the pregnancy.
While the specific date of the incident is unknown to the Court, the charges against Zhakata are based on the alleged sexual relationship between the two parties.
It appears that the complainant, upon discovering that she was pregnant, kept the incident a secret from her mother. However, the pregnancy was later discovered, leading to the revelation of the alleged sexual relationship between the 14 year old girl and Zhakata.
As part of the investigation, state records show that the complainant was examined at Mpilo Central Hospital, providing evidence to support the allegations of statutory rape against Zhakata.
Zhakata, has been granted bail in the amount of US$$50.
The bail decision allows Zhakata to remain free pending further court proceedings, which are scheduled for the 16th of October 2024.
The complainant underwent an examination at Mpilo hospital, and the results of that examination confirmed the allegations of sexual intercourse.
The next stage of the legal process in this case is set to occur on the 16th of October 2024, with further court proceedings scheduled to take place at that time.
Zim GBC News ©2024