Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A 46-YEAR-OLD Nyanga man was recently sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping his 14-year-old daughter multiple times, resulting in her falling pregnant.
He was found guilty of the heinous crime after a full trial.
The prosecution, led by Mr Last Goredema, stated that in October 2023, the convict forced himself onto his daughter in their kitchen hut while his wife was away.
He appeared before Mutare regional magistrate, Mrs Phethukile Msipa, who handed down the 20-year prison sentence.
Mr Goredema told the court that the accused raped the complainant several times in October 2023.
He would rape her whenever he found a chance when his wife was not around.
The matter came to light when the complainant fell pregnant.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the complainant pointing an accusing finger at her father.
In another rape case reported in Nyanga, a ZimParks employee was also sentenced to 20 years in jail for raping an eight-year-old Grade One learner.
Mrs Msipa suspended two years of the sentence on the usual conditions.
Lovemore Kurewa, of Management Camp in Nyanga National Park, where he was employed in the maintenance section, was found guilty of the heinous crime.
He raped the minor after giving her a drink, before issuing threats to prevent her from disclosing the rape.
Mr Goredema told the court that on an unknown date in 2023, and at Nyanga National Park, the complainant was left in the custody of one Sithole by her mother since she was going to be married again.
During her stay at Nyanga National Park, Kurewa visited the complainant on several occasions and raped her.
Mr Goredema said Kurewa would threaten the complainant to prevent her from telling anyone about the heinous offence, before giving her a drink after the rape.
In August 2024, the complainant was taken from Nyanga National Park to Mutare for holiday.
On September 9, 2024, she was told by Sandra Muhambi that she was to be taken back to Nyanga National Park, but she refused.
She refused to go back to Nyanga, and divulged to Muhambi that she was sexually abused several times by the accused person.
On September 10, 2024, Muhambi took the complainant to Chikanga Police Station to make a report.
The complainant was referred to Victoria Chitepo Hospital for medical examination.
Online Reporter