adminCourt Reporter
A single Chitungwiza man who vented his sexual frustration on his nine-year-old niece on several occasions was yesterday slapped with an effective 12-year prison term. The man (38) would give the girl money and promise her more every time he sexually abused her. He denied the rape charges when he appeared before Chitungwiza regional magistrate Ms Estere Chivasa.
He was, however, found guilty after prosecutor Ms Tafadzwa Makwande proved a strong case against him.
Ms Chivasa sentenced him to 18 years in prison but set aside six years for the next five years.
In sentencing him, Ms Chivasa took into account that rape in its nature is a serious offence.
The magistrate also said it was disturbing that the man was having sexual intercourse with the girl two to three times a week.
“It is worrisome that the girl ended revealing the abuse since she was now tired of it. Someone would be left wondering because having sex twice or thrice with the girl sounds as if you were now married to her,” said Ms Chivasa.
Circumstances were that sometime in 2011, the man would visit the girl’s room at around 1am and rape her. He continued with the sinister act as he would go to the girl’s room naked, raping and threatening to kill her if she revealed to anyone.
The court heard that on January 6 this year at 6pm, the man went to the girl’s room where he gagged her with a cloth.
He took her to his room and forced himself on the child.
After the act, he would promise to continue giving her money and took her back to her room.
On the last incident, the girl informed her mother who reported the matter to the police leading to his arrest.
Online Reporter