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Danisa Masuku
Straight from hell, is a way to describe a despicable 47-year-old man from Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb who tried to evade the consequences of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter by claiming that he was possessed by evil spirits.
On one occasion, he committed the sickening act while his wife was in the next room preparing his evening meal.
Justice was served when he was slapped with a 40-year jail term.
The man whose name is being withheld to protect the minor was handed his jail package when he appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza facing two counts of rape.
He pleaded not guilty but was eventually convicted on both counts and slapped with a 20-year jail term on each of them, meaning he will effectively serve 40 years in jail.
In delivering the sentence, the magistrate emphasised the devastating consequences of the man’s actions, stating that he was a danger to society.
The magistrate was appalled by the man’s “heartless because he sexually attacked his biological daughter.”
He strongly condemned his abhorrent behaviour saying such vile men should be sent to jail to reform.
Testifying in court the perpetrator’s wife said: “My child and I lived in fear because he used to threaten to kill us if ever we disclosed the incident to anyone.
“My child, once vibrant and full of life, cast a lone sorrowful figure and was withdrawn. At times she failed to eat as the issue heavily weighed on her.”
The court heard that the first incident happened on 23 October last year at around 7pm while his wife was preparing supper.
The man called the minor girl to his bedroom and asked her to pick an object under the bed before he grabbed her and carried out the sickening attack, the court heard.
The court learnt that the second attack happened a week later on 31 October while the mother of the victim had left to fetch firewood when he called the minor to his bedroom and raped her once.
After the ordeal the traumatised girl disclosed the rape ordeal to a church elder.
The elder advised her to report the matter to the police leading to the arrest of her father.
Online Reporter