HARARE - A Northcort Training Institute teacher allegedly raped a Form 3 student before offering $20 to silence her.
Trustmore Machona, 29, appeared before Harare magistrate Hosea Mujaya, facing rape charges.
During trial, the 15-year-old girl said she did not divulge the ordeal to anyone because Machona had threatened to have her expelled from the school.
“I only managed to tell my mother when I returned home the following day before proceeding to make a police report,” she said.
In his defence, Machona, through his lawyer John Ndomene, alleged the girl fabricated the lies because her evidence was inconsistent and confusing.
“From your evidence before the court it is clear that there was a great likelihood that accused person was going to be caught red handed,” said Ndomene.
“These are mere fabrications from a delinquent child who is probably being influenced by accused’s female workmates with a malicious agenda.”
Prosecutor Junior Mugebe alleged that on November 7 last year the juvenile was sleeping in the passage at school complaining of a head ache.
Machona reportedly sent the girl to his office to collect tablets and he followed and allegedly raped her before offering her $20 after threatening to have her expelled from the school if she revealed the ordeal.