‘Abductor’ lures girl (4) with jiggies
Andile Tshuma, Court Reporter
A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping a girl (4) after luring her with jiggies.
She was rescued by suspicious residents after the two had travelled for about five kilometres from her home.
Shepherd Mutsvenguri of Nkulumane 5, Bulawayo appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Ms Tancy Dube charged with kidnapping.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded to October 5 for trial. Mutsvenguri claimed that the minor just followed him and there was nothing that he could have done about it.
“She was just following me at her own will. I didn’t kidnap her, your worship,” said Mutsvenguri. For the State, Mr Mufaro Mageza said
Mutsvenguri allegedly lured the minor, whose name has been withheld for ethical reasons, on September 16.
“On September 16, at around 12:30PM, the accused person lured the complainant by promising to buy her jiggies snacks,” said Mr Mageza.
The minor complied and Mutsvenguri allegedly took her to a place 5km away from her home. He allegedly made her walk barefooted from Nkulumane suburb to Nketa suburb.
“The accused person then led the complainant to Nketa 9, which is about 5km from the complainant’s place of residence,” said Mr Mageza.
The court heard that Mutsvenguri and the four year old were seen by some Nketa residents, who noticed that the child was not comfortable with the man she was travelling with.
“The accused person and complainant were seen by Chinhondo Nyaradzo, in Nketa 9 suburb, Bulawayo, who observed that the two had no cordial relationship. The complainant seemed to be scared of the accused person. The minor was barefooted and seemed to be dehydrated,” said the prosecutor.
The resident alerted another, Norbert Takuza.
“Takuza and other residents allegedly approached Mutsvenguri and asked about the nature of the relationship between him and the minor. He allegedly lied to them that she was his niece. Nketa 9 residents effected a citizen’s arrest and handed over Mutsvenguri to police officers who were on patrol,” he said.
Mutsvenguri allegedly led the police to the minor’s place of residence where she was handed over to her lawful guardian.
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