A 31-year-old Filabusi man , Nqabutho Ncube appeared in court, charged with the rap3 of his co-tenant’s three-year-old granddaughter.
The allegations, which have drawn significant public attention, reveal a disturbing scenario surrounding the welfare of children in the neighborhood.
Ncube, maintaining his innocence, pleaded not guilty during his appearance before Gwanda regional magistrate Ms. Sithembiso Ndebele.
He was subsequently granted bail set at US$100, with the court scheduling the continuation of the trial for January 3, providing a tense waiting period for all involved.
The defense, represented by lawyer Mr. Tapiwa Solani of Sengweni Legal Practice, presented a firm challenge against the charges, asserting that the accusations stem from a personal vendetta by the child’s grandmother.
According to Mr. Solani, Ncube is a victim of a framing conspiracy, alleging that the grandmother influenced her granddaughter to make false claims aimed at damaging his reputation.
He argued that the inconsistencies in the grandmother’s testimony revealed a lack of credibility, underscoring a potential motive rooted in personal grievances rather than factual events.
The prosecution, led by Mr. Ngonidzashe Shumba, laid out a grim timeline of events that allegedly took place in August when Ncube reportedly invited the young girl into his room, where the abuse occurred.
The pivotal moment that led to legal action transpired during a routine bath when the child voiced her discomfort, prompting her grandmother to inquire further.
Upon learning of the alleged abuse, the grandmother felt compelled to disclose the situation to a neighbor who advised immediate reporting to law enforcement, resulting in Ncube’s arrest.
As the trial date looms, the emotional toll on the family and community is palpable.
Many residents are torn between their support for Ncube, who has lived among them as a co-tenant, and their concern over the serious nature of the allegations surfacing against him.
