Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 45-YEAR-OLD man from Tsholotsho District will spend 30 years behind bars for raping his 12 year-old step-daughter on two separate occasions.
The man from Sipepa area, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, was found guilty and convicted on two counts of rape by Bulawayo Regional Magistrate, Mr Lungile Ncube.
The accused person allegedly raped his stepdaughter at their home sometime in December last year and again in July this year.
Prosecuting, Mr Jethro Mada said that in December last year the complainant was sleeping in her bedroom with her siblings when the accused person sneaked into her blankets.
“The accused slipped into the complainant’s blankets and started fondling her breasts and caressing her, prompting the complainant to wake up,” he said.
The court heard that the accused person threatened to assault the complainant if she screamed before ordering her to remove her clothes and raping her.
Mr Mada told the court that during the second incident, which occurred this year in July, the complainant was sleeping in her bedroom hut when the accused again sneaked into her blankets.
“The complainant woke up and tried to wrestle with the accused who managed to overpower her. He ordered the girl to undress before raping her,” he said.
The complainant screamed, prompting her mother to rush to her rescue.
A report was made leading to the arrest of the accused person.
The accused person was sentenced to 15 years on each count, and is going to serve a maximum of 30 years behind bars for both counts.
