Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
A 69-YEAR-OLD man from Esigodini in Umzingwane District has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after being convicted of repeatedly raping his 15 year old stepdaughter while she was under his custody.
The man, from Shale Village, was convicted of rape by Gwanda regional magistrate, Ms Sithembiso Ndebele.
Prosecutor Mr Ngonidzashe Shumba told the court that the first incident occurred on December 13 last year after the complainant’s mother travelled to Musina and left the teenage girl in the care of the accused.
The court heard that at around 1pm, the accused called the complainant from outside, where she had been playing with friends, and instructed her to prepare food for him.
After she had finished cooking, he ordered her to take the food to his bedroom.
“While she was handing over the food, the accused grabbed her and began fondling her before locking the bedroom door and raping her,” he said.
The accused reportedly told the girl not to resist, claiming that his wife had authorised him to have sexual intercourse with her, before warning her not to report the matter.
The court further heard that the accused raped the complainant on two more occasions during the same month while her mother was still away.
The abuse was only discovered on January 20 after the complainant confided in a schoolmate, who reported the matter to a teacher.
School authorities later informed the girl’s mother, who reported the matter to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
In a separate case, an 18 year old man from Enyandeni Village in Gwanda has appeared before Gwanda magistrate Ms Sukoluhle Nunu facing allegations of repeatedly raping his nine-year old cousin.
Full article on www.chronicle.co.zw
