Radio NZ
May 22 2008; 06:02
Christchurch man cleared of sex charges against niece
A Christchurch man
has been found not guilty of the sexual violation and murder of his 10-year-old
niece.
Charlene Makaza died
in January last year. Her uncle, George Gwaze, was charged with her murder and
sexual violation.
A jury on
Wednesday cleared Mr Gwaze of the charges, prompting a loud uproar from his
family.
His wife, Sifiso Gwaze, collapsed on the floor as other family
members leapt up shouting: "Yes! God is good."
Mrs Gwaze says she
always knew her husband was innocent.
The defence had
said the 10 year old died of natural causes stemming from her HIV infection.
The jury delivered
its verdict after deliberating for 3½ hours.