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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A herdsman from Bulilima District allegedly raped his neighbour’s five-year-old daughter after the girl’s mother had left her in his care while she went to fetch water. Frank Phiri, 28, of Matjinge area allegedly invited the complainant into his bedroom hut where he raped her once. Upon her return, the girl’s mother found her daughter crying.

When the mother asked Frank why her daughter was crying, he told her that the girl had been complaining of hunger.

The girl later revealed to her mother that she had been raped by the herdsman.

Phiri appeared yesterday on initial remand before Plumtree magistrate, Livard Philemon facing a rape charge.

He was remanded in custody to May 6.

Prosecuting, Jane Phiri said the girl’s mother left her daughter under Frank’s supervision on April 22 around 7AM.

“The complainant’s mother left her daughter at her neighbour’s homestead under the care of Frank who works as a herdsman as she went to fetch water from a nearby borehole.

“During her absence, Frank summoned the child into his bedroom hut where he raped her once and ordered her to remain quiet about the incident,” said Phiri.

She said upon her return the juvenile’s mother found her daughter crying and learnt that she had been raped by their neighbour’s herdsman.

Phiri said the woman reported the matter to the police resulting in Frank’s immediate arrest.