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Gwanda Correspondent
MATABELELAND South provincial Agritex officer Bernard Sibanda, 56, has been arrested on allegations of sexually harassing his female workmate.
On Monday, Chronicle spotted Sibanda being led to a police vehicle which was parked at the New Government Complex premises in Gwanda Town.Sources close to the woman, 38, who requested anonymity, told Chronicle that Sibanda had in the past months been demanding sexual favours from his workmate who is based in the rural areas.

However, yesterday he declined to comment, saying he did not want to discuss the issue as it was his personal life. But a source said: “On July 27 this year, Sibanda summoned the woman to his office over a disciplinary issue. When she entered the office, Sibanda locked the door and directed her to sit on a sofa and she complied.”

After locking the door, Sibanda is said to have gone straight to where the woman was seated and shocked her when he started to make some sexual moves on her.

Further allegations are that after a long struggle, the woman managed to free herself.

“On seeing that he had failed he became angry and threatened to terminate her employment if she ever reported what had happened to anyone. He then unlocked the door and the woman left,” said the source.

Fearing that Sibanda would facilitate her dismissal from work, the woman did not immediately report the matter to the police but told a colleague about the incident on the same day.

She was then advised by others to make an official complainant against Sibanda.

On Monday this week, she gathered courage and reported the matter to the police who in turn acted swiftly by arresting Sibanda.

He was taken in for questioning and later released.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya yesterday confirmed receiving the report.

“I can confirm that we received such a report and the accused person is assisting police with investigations,” he said.

Sibanda is expected to appear in court on Tuesday facing indecent assault charges.