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Andile Tshuma Court Reporter
A 24 YEAR-OLD mechanic who was allegedly having sex with a 13-year-old Entumbane High School pupil, was sold out by take away food that he bought for her.

The court heard on Monday that the illegal affair came to light when the minor’s mother saw a box of take away food which the complainant had brought home.

She allegedly wrung a confession from her daughter.

Sifeluthando Khumalo of Bulawayo’s Entumbane suburb appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Mr Stephen Ndhlovu, facing charges of having sexual intercourse with a minor, whose name has been withheld for ethical reasons.

The suspect, whose name means dying for love, pleaded guilty and the magistrate remanded him in custody to Friday.

In defence, Khumalo claimed his lover lied to him about her age.

Khumalo said: “She told me that she was 16 years old. I didn’t know that she is only 13.

When magistrate Ndhlovu asked why he had slept with the juvenile, Khumalo said he viewed her as his future wife.

“I slept with her because I love her and I want to marry her. I was planning to wait for her to finish school before asking her to marry me,” said Khumalo, who is a father of two and recently separated with the mother of his children

Prosecuting, Ms Sibekithemba Dube told the court that Khumalo and the complainant have been lovers since June.

“On July 21 at around 7PM, Khumalo visited the complainant as usual. He then asked her to get into his car before driving off to Hlalo Shopping Centre.

‘‘The accused person parked the car behind Hlalo Shops and had sexual intercourse with complainant, with her consent, before driving her back to her home,” said Ms Dube.

Ms Dube said that Khumalo and the complainant engaged in sexual intercourse for the second time on July 31, at around 7PM at the same scene, with the complainant’s consent.

She said when her mother saw the food box, she was livid.

“Upon being interrogated, the complainant disclosed she was in love with the accused,” said Ms Dube.

A police report was made at Entumbane Police Station after the juvenile’s confession, leading to Khumalo’s arrest. — @andile_tshuma