Criminal forces teacher to transfer

The teacher now teaches in Bubi District.

Her assailant Bigson Luphahla (28), of Jabatshaba Village under Chief Mabhikwa was yesterday convicted of three offences, one of rape, unlawful entry and armed robbery, which he committed at the school in November last year.

Hwange resident regional magistrate Mrs Dambudzo Malunga sentenced Luphahla to a combined 20 years in prison for the three offences.

For the count of rape, Luphahla was sentenced to 15 years while the counts of unlawful entry and armed robbery were treated as one for sentence and he was slapped with five years in prison.

Sentencing Luphahla, the magistrate said he deserved a lengthy prison term because he had traumatised the teacher, who ended up transferring to another school.

On 9 November, Luphahla went to the school’s cottages where he knocked at the teacher’s house demanding that she opens the door for him.

He broke the windowpane using a knobkerrie and called the teacher’s name ordering her to open the door for him.

The complainant, who was sleeping with her niece, refused to open the door and Luphahla forced it open using a knife, which he was carrying.

He stood by the door and demanded money.

Fearing for her life, the teacher told Luphahla that she did not have money and the only money available was in the school administration office.

Luphahla then ordered her to go and get the money and he force-marched her towards the school office while threatening to kill her.

When they got to the school’s football pitch, which is about 40m from the teachers’ cottages, Luphahla demanded to be intimate with the woman, but she refused.

He then drew a knife and threatened to stab her. The complainant screamed, but noone came to her rescue and Luphahla grabbed her by the hair before cutting her undergarments with the knife.

Luphahla raped the teacher once and after that, continued to force-march her to the administration block where he ordered her to open the doors.

Luphahla demanded money at knifepoint and the teacher fearing for her life, handed him $35, 100 rand and a cellphone valued at $20.

He disappeared into the darkness leaving the complainant alone. The complainant phoned police in Jotsholo.

The property was not recovered, as Luphahla disappeared from his homestead until his arrest at Mvundlana in Tsholotsho on 31 January.

Hwange area prosecutor Mr Khumbulani Ndlovu represented the State.