Chronicle Editor
Laurel Murangaridzirayi, [email protected]
A MAN who raped his neighbour’s mentally unstable daughter has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in jail.
Junior Sibanda (24) was convicted of rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Joseph Mabeza due to overwhelming evidence.
Prosecuting, Ms Portia Mashazhu said on May 17, 2021, Sibanda went to the complainant’s homestead where he found her alone.
Sibanda enquired from the complainant about the whereabouts of her mother and he was told that she had visited a relative in a neighbouring village.
The court heard that Sibanda asked the girl to give him some chilli, and when the girl went to the kitchen to collect it, Sibanda followed her.
Ms Mashazhu said Sibanda ordered the complainant to lie down before he ordered her to remove her clothes and raped her.
The matter came to light the following day when the complainant revealed the matter to her nephew who in turn notified the victim’s mother.
The complainant’s mother reported the matter to the police leading to Sibanda’s arrest. The complainant was taken to St Luke’s Hospital for medical examination and a medical report concluded that she had been raped.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter