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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau—
A Chinhoyi security guard, who is facing allegations of indecently assaulting 10 boys aged between nine and 12 years, lured them with a bicycle, cellphone and money, details have emerged. Once they got into his house, Chenjerai Mairosi (38) who was commonly known as “Sekuru” (uncle) to children in the Brundish neighbourhood would first isolate his target by sending others out for various errands.

These included buying groceries and video discs. The remaining child would be chained and sometimes handcuffed before being gagged with a blue tie. He would play pornographic videos before abusing them. After he had finished abusing the boys, he would give them amounts ranging from 10 cents to $1.

One of the boys who got money after being abused later started demanding money every time he felt he needed to buy snacks commonly known as “jiggies”. It was after this incident that Mairosi who worked for Cobra Security, allegedly started threatening his victims with death if they revealed the incident to anyone.

Mairosi appeared before Chinhoyi magistrate Miss Brenda Dhliwayo yesterday and was released after she ruled that he was detained by the police for more than 48 hours in contravention of the Constitution.

Defence lawyer Mr Kudzai Choga of Choga and Associates raised constitutional issues to the court after noting that Mairosi was only brought to court yesterday, more than 48 hours after his arrest on Sunday.

“We apply to this honourable court for our client to be immediately released in line with provisions of Section 50(2) and (3) of the Constitution after he was detained for more than 48 hours for reasons best known by the police,” said Mr Choga.

The Constitution allows for detention of suspects of no more than 48 unless an extension has been granted by competent court. Prosecuting, Mr Rummage Isaac did not object to Mairosi being removed from remand saying only the police can answer why they brought the accused late to court.

Miss Dhliwayo ruled that the detention beyond the 48 hour stipulated period was unlawful and the court had no choice but to release Mairosi unconditionally. Mairosi is facing 10 counts of aggravated indecent assault as defined in sections of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Allegations against Mairosi are that from a period extending from January and a day before his arrest on July 23, he would variously lure the boys and abuse them. The children he abused were from grade 1 to three at various schools in Chinhoyi.

The abuse came to light after a nine-year-old boy started complaining to his mother about pain in the back leading to her carrying out investigations. This led to the discovery that the boy was also having difficulties passing stool and a report was made to Chemagamba Police Station opening the floodgates of other reports.