Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
A 54-YEAR-OLD Kezi man has been sentenced to 30 years imprisonment for raping his seven-year-old granddaughter.
The man from Tumasi Village who cannot be named for ethical reasons pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda Regional Magistrate,Ms Sithembiso Ndebele.
He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for each count. His sentences will run concurrently.
Prosecuting, Ms Zanele Sithole said the accused person who does not stay with the complainant found her alone at home.
“On 2 June at around 12pm the complainants’ grandmother left the complainant playing with other children and went to the garden. The accused arrived and when he learnt that the elders were not around he sent the other children to collect firewood and remained behind with the complainant.
“He called the complainant into her grandmother’s bedroom and gave her biscuits and then raped her. The accused person repeated the offence on another day. The matter came to light when the complainant started complaining of stomach pains. Upon being questioned by her grandmother she reported what had transpired,” she said.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person.
@DubeMatutu
derick.khumalo