Online Reporter
Lesley Chikudo
A 24-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who raped his 18-year-old mentally ill cousin has been sentenced to 15 years in jail. The man, from Upper Rangemore, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to rape by Western Commonage magistrate, Mrs. Sibongile Marondedze.
In passing sentence, Mrs. Marondedze said, “It was the accused’s duty to protect his cousin, but instead he took advantage of her condition to rape her.” The magistrate also noted the trauma experienced by the victim, who now suffers from severe headaches and stomach pains.
“The offender is a danger to the community and himself,” Mrs Marondedze said. “There is a need for deterrence sentence to protect the girl child.” The man’s attempt to bribe the victim with promises of a phone and US$1 was also part of the court’s consideration.
derick.khumalo