adminThandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A 29-year-old Inyathi domestic worker has been jailed for 20 years after raping his employer’s 10-year-old daughter.
Tobias Moyo raped the minor twice in a kitchen hut.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape before regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze.
The magistrate convicted Moyo saying the girl’s story was credible and the State managed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“What aggravates this offence is that accused was employed as a domestic worker and had a duty to protect the complainant as a family employee.
“Moyo breached the position of trust bestowed on him by the victim who is only aged 10,” said Mrs Msipa-Marondedze.
“Both counts will be treated as one for purposes of sentence. Moyo is therefore sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment of which two years are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.”
Prosecuting Ms Concilia Ncube said on March 17 this year at around 8PM, the girl had supper with her family.
“She stood up and cleared the dirty plates which she took to a kitchen hut where Moyo was seated. As she was leaving the kitchen Moyo grabbed her and closed the door,” said Ms Ncube.
“Moyo then raped the girl once and she tried to scream but he quickly used his hand to cover her mouth.”
The court heard the girl dressed up and went away but did not tell anyone about the incident.
“On the following day at around 9PM, the girl fled from her grandfather who wanted to beat her for scattering books in one of the huts. She went and hid in the kitchen and after a few minutes, Moyo emerged and closed the door,” she said.
Ms Ncube said Moyo raped the girl again and threatened to kill her if she disclosed the matter to anyone. “The girl finally disclosed the matter to a relative leading to Moyo’s arrest,” said the prosecutor.
derick.khumalo