Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Lesley Chikudo, [email protected]
A 28-YEAR-OLD man from Bulawayo’s Rangemore suburb has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for raping his 18- year old girlfriend.
Mthulisi Mpofu pleaded not guilty but was convicted of rape by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze on Thursday.
In passing sentence, Mrs Marondedze noted that the victim was emotionally disturbed.
She said due to his predatory behaviour, Mpofu was a danger to society hence the need for a deterrent sentence.
“To ensure girls are protected from offenders like you, Iam sentencing you to an effective 15 years in jail,” ruled Mrs Marondedze.
Mpofu allegedly committed the offence on November 7 last year.
Prosecutor, Ms Christine Manyika, said the sexual offence happened when the complainant visited Mpofu at his place of residence.
“The complainant found Mpofu with his nephew inside their house and he instructed the nephew to go outside,” said Ms Manyika.
She said when Mpofu’s nephew was outside, Mpofu locked the door.
“After that Mpofu told the complainant that he was going to have sexual intercourse with her. He then forcibly removed the complainant’s clothes and raped her,” she said.
Testifying in court the complainant said that it was in the morning at around 7am when she went to Mpofu’s place to borrow a broom.
“I went to his place to ask for the broom so that I could sweep our yard. I found him with his nephew who is around nine years old,” she said.
The complainant said the accused then told his nephew to go and play outside.
“After his nephew had left, he dragged me to the main bedroom. I tried to fight him but he overpowered me and laid me on the floor.
“He then proceeded to remove my clothes and raped me while I screamed for help,” she said.
Online Reporter