http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/nz9.15920.html

newzimbabwe.com
February 3 2007

Uncle charged with Charlene's murder

New Zealand detectives investigating a brutal sexual assault and murder of a 10-year-old Zimbabwean girl have arrested her 54-year-old uncle.

Christchurch police said Friday that they had arrested and charged George Gwaze with sexual violation and murder of Charlene Makaza on January 7.

Gwaze's shock arrest ended an intensive three-week homicide investigation by the police.

Gwaze's wife, Sifiso, last night confirmed her husband had been arrested.

She said he had gone for an interview with police and was arrested. She did not wish to comment further.

Homicide inquiry head Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston declined to comment on the arrest last night, but confirmed Gwaze would appear in Christchurch District Court on Saturday at 10am.

South Island Zimbabwean Association secretary Taz Mukorombindo said the community would be totally shocked by the arrest.

"We knew they were investigating the family, but we didn't know there'd be an arrest," he said.

"They were a fantastic family. It's certainly going to be a shock (to the community), there's no doubt about that."

Mukorombindo said police had notified him about 7pm of an arrest.

"We're certainly going to follow the court case."

Family Pastor Thomas Gonera was very surprised to hear of Gwaze's arrest.

"I never expected anything like that," Gonera said.

The homicide inquiry had focused on Charlene's family after police said they had found no evidence of an intruder.

Friends of Charlene said she was a shy child with a "great big smile" and a loving nature.

At her funeral on January 20, Charlene's cousin, Maggie Gwaze, said: "Her death has been devastating to the whole family ... as a family, we are truly grateful to God for giving us this child."

Charlene was found unconscious and struggling to breathe on a bed by relatives.

She lived with her adoptive parents -- her aunt Sifiso and uncle George Gwaze, their 24-year-old son, George, and 20-year-old daughter Nothando.

Police have been keen to stress that there was no intruder. Detectives also believe there were five adults in the house when the attack happened.

Charlene and her 12-year-old sister -- who has been taken into care -- moved from Zimbabwe after the deaths of their parents a couple of years ago, to live with their aunt and uncle and two cousins at the Hollyford Avenue home.

Police have been briefed on African beliefs about sex, including the myth that sex with a virgin can cure Aids, as part of their investigation into Charlene's death.