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Midlands Reporter
A SHURUGWI man raped his brother’s 12-year-old daughter for nine consecutive days while the girl’s little brother looked on.
The incident, which is now the talk of the chrome mining town, happened between November and December in 2012.Trust Nhamo, 33, of 198 Sebanga Extension in Shurugwi, pleaded not guilty to nine counts of rape when he appeared before Gweru Regional magistrate, Morgan Nemadire.

He was, however, convicted on all counts and remanded in custody to next week Thursday for sentencing.

For the state, Ndamukaneyi Chikuni told the court that during the month of December in 2012, Nhamo raped his brother’s daughter for nine consecutive days while her younger brother looked on.

Chikuni said on 19 December the same year, Nhamo visited his brother in Gweru village under Chief Nganga in Shurugwi.

The court heard that Nhamo asked for permission from the victim’s parents to take their two children to Shurugwi for holidays so that they could help his wife with household chores since she had a newly born baby to which they agreed.

Chikuni said on 22 December, Nhamo, who was staying in a one roomed rented house, returned home at around 10PM and found his brother’s children fast asleep.

She said Nhamo forcibly removed the complainant’s undergarments and raped her once before threatening her with unspecified action if she reported the matter to anyone.

The court also heard that while Nhamo was sweating it out on his niece, the girl’s young brother woke up but he threatened him and ordered him to sleep.

He then ordered the young girl to clean herself up with a towel.

Chikuni told the court that the following day, Nhamo again forcibly had sexual intercourse with the girl.

Nhamo used the same method to rape the girl on seven other occasions.

The matter came to light on 14 January 2013 when Nhamo brought the children back to their parents and the girl narrated her heart rending ordeal.

The matter was reported to the police leading to Nhamo’s arrest.

In his defence, Nhamo said his brother fabricated the rape as he suspected that he was having an affair with his wife.

Nhamo also said he was called by his brother’s wife to come to their rural home to stop a fight that had ensued between the couple. This angered his brother who then vowed to take action against him.