A Zimbabwean orphanage has apparently launched an investigation into a former England cricketer’s involvement with the institution.
A student has told an English tabloid, The Sun, that Peter Roebuck had groomed him on Facebook before he was allegedly attacked in the cricket writer’s hotel room.
The Australian claimed that a Zimbabwean businessman, who is also chairman of the St Joseph’s Home for boys in Harare, has launched his own investigation into the dead cricketer’s association with the institution.
Brian Maphosa said Roebuck used to visit the orphanage and had taken several of the boys, who had left the institution to further their studies in South Africa .
However, speaking to The Star on Thursday, Maphosa said he was uncomfortable speaking about the investigation.
Roebuck became involved with the home after he was introduced to the institution by one of the former residents.
The Sun reported that Zimbabwean student Itai Gondo, 26, claimed that Roebuck had spent days on Facebook luring him into a meeting, offering to pay his tuition fees.
In the exchange of e-mails, Roebuck invited Gondo to call him “dad”, a term he used with the 17 adopted “sons” who stayed with him in Pietermaritzburg.
When they agreed to meet, Gondo said Roebuck signed off saying: “OK my boy, bring stick in case I need to beat you!”
Gondo met Roebuck in his suite at a hotel in Cape Town, the tabloid reported.
The student claimed they spoke for two hours, before Roebuck pinned him on the bed and attacked him.
That, he claimed, ended only when his phone rang and Roebuck apologised.
Gondo told The Sun that he fled.
The day after that Roebuck sent a message to Gondo which allegedly said: “Worried bout u, hope u ok.”
Days later, Gondo said he replied with: “One day the long arm of the law will catch up with your evil misdeeds.”
Gondo alerted police, who visited Roebuck last Saturday. It was during this meeting that Roebuck allegedly jumped from a window to his death.
The alleged victim was allegedly so traumatised that he had considered taking his own life.
Police, said The Sun, are examining Roebuck’s computer as part of the investigation. - The Star