Beitbridge man jailed for raping daughter

The conviction has been welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority, which described the matter as a severe violation of trust and a grave crime against a vulnerable child.

Thupeyo Muleya

A 43-YEAR-OLD man from Beitbridge has been jailed for an effective 20 years for raping his daughter, whom he had lured to his home under the pretence of giving her money.

The man from Mashama village under Chief Matibe in Beitbridge District—who cannot be named to protect the complainant’s identity—was convicted of rape by Beitbridge regional magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa yesterday.
Prosecuting, Mr Willbrought Muleya said the incident occurred on December 3 last year at around 1PM. The complainant, who lives with her grandmother in Tshapongwe area, was sent to collect R100 from her father in a nearby village.

“Upon arrival, the accused promised to give her the money the next day and arranged for her to sleep in his unfinished room, claiming he would stay at a relative’s homestead,” said Mr Muleya.
That evening, however, the accused returned quietly while the victim slept and he raped her, and later tried to buy her silence with a gift. As he left the room to collect the gift, the complainant escaped to her sister’s homestead and reported the assault.

Police were notified, leading to the man’s arrest.