Headman Kandira of Norton faces severe allegations of raping a 17-year-old girl, Thelma, and subjecting her and her 15-year-old brother, Felix, to child abuse. Felix shared with Pindula that Kandira’s abuse led to Thelma’s pregnancy and HIV diagnosis. The abuse reportedly started after their aunt left for South Africa in September 2024.
Felix recounted that Kandira began forcing himself on Thelma after returning from dropping their aunt off at the bus stop. Felix initially doubted Thelma’s claims but soon witnessed the abuse himself. He advised Thelma to record conversations as evidence. When Felix confronted Kandira, he was chased away, threatened with axes, and had dogs unleashed on him.
Felix sought help from local leaders and police, eventually finding refuge with Mai Fayi. He later discovered that Kandira was searching for him, armed with torches and machetes. Felix alerted authorities that his friend Ngoni was wrongly arrested for Thelma’s pregnancy, clarifying that Kandira was responsible.
Chief Ngorima confirmed Thelma’s pregnancy and HIV-positive status with Pindula Headman Kandira has been brought before the courts and released into his lawyer’s custody. Concerns remain about Thelma’s safety, as she still lives at Kandira’s homestead, where he allegedly threatened her with death if she revealed his role in her pregnancy. A donor has stepped in to cover Thelma’s school fees and expenses until she completes Form 4.
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