A 68-year-old Zimbabwean church deacon had on Wednesday appeared in court over allegations of indecent assault.

According to The Chronicle, Prosecuting officer, Mr Kenneth Shava said Bhakulu Joseph Dube of the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) church, allegedly lured a 13-year-old girl to his house by promising to buy her a soft drink.

Shava said; “On July 9 at around 2PM after a church service, the accused accompanied the complainant to her house as she was not feeling well. On their way, they passed by the accused’s house, where the accused wanted to give the complainant $2 to buy a soft drink.

“The complainant remained outside as the accused went to get the money. The accused dragged her into the house then grabbed her tightly and tried to kiss her. The accused escaped and ran home.”

In a statement to the police, the girl said Dube opened her jacket, looked at her breasts and told her not to allow anyone to touch them as he would fondle them when she finishes school.

The statement reads: “He gave me a banana and $2, saying I should visit him so that he will teach me skills of engaging in sex and different sex positions so that it will be easier for me to engage in sex when I am married.”

Shava added that the teenage girl told a relative and they reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of the deacon.

He was not asked to plead and remanded out of custody to August 30 on $50 bail.