HARARE – A married 37-year-old paedophile was lured to his death after proposing love to a 15-year-old girl, a court heard on Friday.

Edson Chiduuro, of Unit D in Seke, Chitungwiza, was badly assaulted with logs by two men and dumped at a cemetery where passers-by found him writhing in agony on December 19 last year.

He was treated at Chitungwiza General Hospital and discharged, but his condition deteriorated leading to his death on January 10.

On Friday, prosecutors charged 31-year-old Obvious Mutake, of Mhonda Village in Seke, with Chiduuro’s murder.

Appearing before Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti, Mutake – who had no lawyer – complained that police detectives had assaulted him with a crowbar and his right eye’s vision was impaired as a result.

Miti ordered the National Prosecuting Authority to investigate the assault complaint as he remanded Mutake in custody to February 6. He was also advised to apply for bail at the High Court.

The prosecution told the court that the late Chiduuro, who was married, was in an adulterous affair with the mother of the 15-year-old girl.

The teen is a niece to Mutake and lives with him, the court heard.

Sometime in December, prosecutor Essel Zinhiva alleged that Chiduuro “proposed love” to the teenager, who in turn informed Mutake.

Working with co-accused Tashinga Mahungu, who is allegedly on the run, the prosecution says Mutake laid a trap for Chiduuro by advising the teen to pretend to acquiesce to his love proposal and invite him over.

Chiduuro, the court heard, arrived at Mutake’s home early morning on December 19 and entered the teenager’s room where he started undressing.

Mutake and Mahungu allegedly barged in and started assaulting him with logs while kicking and punching him.

They allegedly dumped the barely-clothed Chiduuro at Mhonda Village Cemetery after hanging onto his clothes and phone.

Chiduuro was found “in agony with bruises all over the body” at around 11AM by passers-by who helped him get to Chitungwiza General Hospital where he was treated and later discharged.

His condition deteriorated on January 10 and his wife, Susan Mapanda, took him back to the hospital where he later died.