Zimpapers Logo

Elizabeth Tsuro Midlands Reporter
A GWERU Businessman who was accused of kidnapping, drugging and sodomising two primary school pupils aged, 11 and 12 years, has been acquitted.

Prosecutors failed to provide sufficient evidence and prove beyond reasonable doubt that the lads were sexually abused.

Smile Madhaka, 34, of Mkoba Village 19 in Gweru, who runs a bar at Mkoba Village One who was facing two counts of aggravated indecent assault, was acquitted by Judith Taruvinga.

Prosecuting, Daniel Tafuma had alleged that sometime in April this year, Madhaka went to Bumburwi Primary School where he met the two boys.

It was alleged that Madhaka gave the boys a lift in his car and while inside the vehicle, he offered them bread and drinks.

After consuming the food which could have been laced with a drug, the boys fell unconscious.

It was further alleged that after some time the boys gained consciousness only to realise they were in Mkoba Village Three near the Salvation Army Church.

The boys, the court heard, discovered their pants were soiled.

Tafuma further alleged that before Madhaka dumped the boys, he told them that he was going to pick them up at Mkoba Police Station bus stop on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The State had also alleged that Madhaka used the same method to sexually abuse the boys on other occasions and would buy their silence with $5 which they would share.

It was alleged that the matter came to light after the boys’ parents reported the matter to the police.