Langa Mabena
Mashudu Mambo
A 22-YEAR-OLD man from Beitbridge has been slapped with a 15-year jail sentence after he attempted to rape his stepmother in the pretext of asking for some washing powder.
The man, who cannot be named for ethical reasons, appeared before a Beitbridge magistrate facing a charge of attempted rape. He was convicted and sentenced. The court heard that on 15 September 2024 at around 6am, the victim was in her bedroom sleeping when the culprit knocked on the door, and she allowed him to enter.
The perpetrator asked for some washing powder and she told him that she would give him money to go and buy later, and he left. He returned after some time, opened the door without knocking, peeped and shut the door before he left.
The perpetrator came again, opened the door and walked towards the victim who was still in her blankets. He moved around the room and closed the door.
The victim immediately jumped out of the bed and stood on her feet and the culprit pulled down his trousers, charged towards the complainant and tripped her.
He removed the victim’s skirt and tried to rape her, and they wrestled. A neighbour who was outside shouted the culprit’s name and ordered him to stop what he was doing.
He stopped when he heard that a number of people had gathered outside. The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the culprit.
Online Reporter