Online Reporter
Ronald Mpofu
A 21-year-old man from Diba Village in Bulilima District has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of raping an eight-year-old girl.
The accused, whose name has been withheld in line with legal reporting restrictions, appeared before Plumtree Magistrate’s Court on 9 July 2025. Magistrate Dambudzo Malunga described the crime as “a heinous and unlawful act” that had “irreparably damaged the young victim’s future.”
The courtroom remained silent, punctuated only by the sound of flipping legal documents. Onlookers watched in sorrow as the accused, clad in an oversized prison suit with his hands cuffed, stood without expression. No laughter could be heard—only faces etched with shame and anger.
Court documents revealed that on 2 July 2025, at around 6 a.m., the victim was walking to school alone after being left behind by other children. The accused ambushed her, dragged her into nearby bushes, and forcibly removed her school uniform before assaulting her.
The crime came to light two days later when the girl’s maid noticed her difficulty in walking. Upon examination, her grandmother discovered bloodstains on her underwear and bruising around her genital area.
The victim was taken to Plumtree District Hospital for medical assessment, while police launched an immediate investigation leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Despite the accused’s young age, Magistrate Malinga imposed a 15-year prison term with no suspension, citing the severity of the offence. Prosecutor Voster Makuwerere emphasised that the sentence reflected the gravity of the crime while acknowledging legal considerations for the offender’s age.
