Tinotenda Hove – A 26-year-old man from Shale Village in Esigodini, Matabeleland South, has appeared in court facing charges of physical abuse and having sexual intercourse with a minor.

The accused, Tendai Mnkandla, was brought before Esigodini magistrate Ms Menelisi Linda where he pleaded guilty. He was remanded in custody to September 4 for plea recording.

Prosecutor Mr Victor Gorejena told the court that Mnkandla had been cohabiting with the 15-year-old complainant since June this year after inviting her to his home from Capital Block Village in Colleen Bawn.

On 22 August, while the pair were returning from a garden, some boys allegedly whistled at them. The accused suspected the complainant of being involved with them and went on to assault her several times with a stick before striking her with a burning log.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to Mnkandla’s arrest and subsequent appearance in court.