- I want to a be a present father to my child
Defilement accused, Zimbabwean national has this week told Francistown Principal Magistrate, Tshepo Magetse that he wants to man up and be a present father in the life of his child born from a forbidden relationship with a 16-year-old girl from Tutume.
The accused, Thulani Moyo who faces a possible 10 years in prison, pleaded for a non-custodial sentence in order for him to take care of his first-born child and be involved in the child’s upbringing.
Without wasting the court’s time, Moyo admitted he was wrong to have indulged in a love affair with the minor.
“We started engaging in sex in July 2022 and each time we used condoms for protection. But sometime in 2023 l told my girlfriend that we should stop using the condom because it was causing sores to my private part. Sometime in October 2023 I invited her to visit me and we had sexual intercourse and the following month she missed her period,” narrated Moyo.
“I am guilty because I ended up impregnating the girl. And I am the father of her child. I knew she was a minor, even though she was working as a maid in one of the teacher’s quarters. The size of her body confused me at the time and made me doubt her age. But I am pleading with the court to forgive me for having sex with a minor. Since my arrest I have learnt my lesson and I am a changed man.”
Moyo who has been in custody for the past one year and nine months told court that the child is my first born and does not want the kid to be a burden to the family he offended.
“It is my wish to be involved in the upbringing of the child. My absence in the life of the child means his upbringing is affected and he will be discriminated. When the child asks the whereabouts of his father, he will be told I am in prison because I made his mother pregnant. I do not want him to hate me.”
Moyo who is a first offender told presiding magistrate that he was last in contact with the complainant two months back and he does not know anything about the wellbeing of his child.
“No social worker has been involved in this matter since I was arrested. I am in the dark as to who is looking after the child and how the mother is managing. This stresses and troubles me a lot. The last time I talked to the complainant was two months back, when I called her because I wanted her to bring some of my clothes. And she told me that the police said I must not call her.”
Magistrate Magetse is expected to pass his ruling next week once a social worker appraises the court on how the complainant, her baby is being taken care of and other circumstances pertaining to the case.
