adminPaul Pindani in CHINHOYI
A POLICEMAN has been fined $80 000 for bedding and impregnating his niece.
Mike Mahembe, who hails from Muchongwe Village under Chief Chirau, Zvimba, was convicted of having sexual intercourse within a prohibited degree of relationship.
Chinhoyi magistrate, Rumbidzai Tshuma, presided over the matter.
Mahembe is a police officer stationed at the Police Protection Unit (PPU).
The second accused is a woman aged 18. For his offence, Mahembe was fined $80 000 while three months were set aside on condition of good behaviour.
The second accused was sentenced to four months, which were wholly suspended.
She is also pregnant as a result of the affair.
Prosecuting, Olivia Mukaro, told the court that on an unknown date to the prosecutor but last year, Mahembe proposed love to his niece.
She accepted the proposal and they became romantically involved.
They had consensual intercourse on different occasions until March this year when she fell pregnant.
The court heard that on May 20 this year, Mahembe’s wife, Pelagia Makumbe, found out that the 18-year-old was pregnant.
She confronted her seeking to know who was responsible for the pregnancy.
She confessed that Mahembe was responsible for the pregnancy.
This did not go well with Makumbe, who turned violent and assaulted her.
After that, Makumbe advised the niece’s mother, who took her child home and reported the matter to the village head. The village head further referred the matter to Chief Zvimba, since he felt the issue was taboo.
Upon being interviewed by the Chief’s secretary, she lied that she was raped by Mahembe, resulting in the matter being reported to the police.
She first reported that she was raped, but later on changed her story.
She admitted that they had consensual sexual intercourse since they were in a love relationship.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter