A RAPE suspect evaded arrest after grabbing a female police officer by her PRIVATES, a court heard.
Now Blessed Dhliwayo, 29, has had a charge of indecent assault added to the charge sheet, and a third of assault after allegedly lashing out with fists at the female officer’s male colleague.
Dhliwayo, of Dhibha Village in Mberengwa, denies all three charges and was remanded in custody to December 15 after appearing before a Zvishavane magistrate last Friday.
Dhliwayo met his alleged victim, a 13-year-old-girl, in July this year and PROPOSED love, said William Man’ombe, prosecuting.
The age of consent in Zimbabwe is 16.
Dhliwayo is alleged to have gone on to sexually violate his victim on several occasions until the girl’s mother caught the pair acting suspicious at her home.
Police were called and two officers were dispatched to apprehend the suspect on a warrant for statutory rape, the court heard.
Said prosecutor Man’ombe: “Constable Christopher Munondiwanzira and Constable Tendai Mahwire, who were both in police uniform, were assigned to arrest Dhliwayo who was at a nearby business centre.
“Dhliwayo turned violent and assaulted Const Munondiwanzira with fists.
“This prompted Const Mahwire to intervene and she grabbed Dhliwayo by his waist, but he retaliated by touching her private parts.
“Dhliwayo later took to his heels and disappeared from the scene.”
Six police officers were later dispatched to arrest Dhliwayo, storming his home as he slept just before midnight on the same day.