adminPatience Mutsiwi Midlands Reporter
A 23-YEAR-OLD Silobela man has been slapped with a 13-year jail term for raping and impregnating a 14-year-old
school girl. Lungisani Moyo of Mvangeli Village under Chief Malisa who pleaded not guilty claiming the girl was his girlfriend, was however convicted of rape by Gweru regional Magistrate Morgan Nemadire.
Moyo will serve an effective 10 years in jail after Nemadire suspended three years of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence, Nemadire said the courts were worried about the increase in rape cases in the Midlands province.
“Rape cases have increased especially against children under the age of 16. You therefore deserve to be given a long custodial sentence so that the community will learn a lesson from you,” he said.
Prosecuting, Andrew Marimo, said on February 8 this year at around 11AM, the complainant was on her way home from Sikhumba Tshoketshe shops when she met Moyo.
Moyo greeted her and then proposed love to her.
Marimo said the complainant turned down his proposal and continued with her journey.
“The accused person continued walking with the complainant trying to persuade her to accept his proposal.
“When they reached a bushy area the accused suddenly got hold of the complainant, lifted her up, put her on his shoulder and carried her further into the bush,” said Marimo.
He said the accused raped her twice while in the bush.
Marimo said the schoolgirl screamed for help and two villagers who were close by came to her rescue.
“Seeing the two villagers approaching, the accused ran away,” he said.
Marimo said the good Samaritans took the complainant to the village head’s homestead before a manhunt for the accused started.
“The complainant’s grandmother was called to the village head’s homestead before a report was made to the police leading to the accused’s arrest,” said Marimo.
Online Reporter