A 25-year-old man, Tinotenda Chibwe, appeared in court yesterday facing charges of indecently assaulting a 17-year-old boy.
During the proceedings at the Harare Magistrates Court, Chibwe asserted that he was in a consensual homos,*xual relationship with the complainant, contradicting the State’s allegations.
Chibwe was remanded in custody by Magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa, with his trial scheduled for October 21.
When questioned about his relationship with the teenager, Chibwe maintained that their interactions were consensual.
The court heard that the complainant joined a gay WhatsApp group called ‘Private Lounge’ in January, which boasts over a thousand members.
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He received the group link from an unidentified phone number and introduced himself as a new member.
Chibwe already part of the groupreached out to the complainant expressing interest in a romantic relationship.
The teenager declined but agreed to be friends.
In May, the two met at Machipisa Shopping Centre in Highfield.
Chibwe allegedly lured the complainant to his home, where they consumed alcohol and engaged in conversation before Chibwe reportedly forced himself on the boy.
The situation escalated in August when the complainant’s father discovered messages between his son and another individual on the boy’s cellphone.
However, the phone broke before he could gather more information. Last month, the complainant attempted to reach out to Chibwe using his mother’s phone, but the latter began using a different number to contact him.
Concerned, the boy’s mother informed her husband, prompting the teenager to disclose that he had been sexually abused by Chibwe.
As the case unfolds, the court will examine the evidence and testimonies presented during the upcoming trial.
