Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka-Herald Reporter
A MAN has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping his daughter in 2023, resulting in pregnancy, which was aborted in South Africa, where they were staying.
The man was charged with three counts: rape, assault and aggravated indecent assault.
Chitungwiza Magistrate Mrs Gloria Takundwa suspended six months of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.
The man (48), whose name has been withheld to protect the identity of the survivor, reportedly fled to South Africa after his story was shared on Facebook.
However, he returned to the country in October last year, and was later arrested after another police report was filed.
The case was first reported in South Africa, but justice was not served after he fled before police could arrest him.
The young girl returned to Zimbabwe in January after family members raised funds for her bus fare, and she pursued her case with the police, ultimately leading to justice being served.
Her case was dealt with by the Chitungwiza Magistrates Courts.
In South Africa, her plight was uncovered by her father’s ex-girlfriend (name supplied), who was caring for her after the abortion was carried out in Cape Town.
According to the State’s case, led by public prosecutor Tendai Ruwocha, on March 22, 2024, the victim’s father came home from work and gave her meat to cook.
He then instructed her to remove her clothes, but she refused, and lied she needed to use the restroom because she had a runny tummy.
She managed to sneak out and began running down the road, but the father chased after her, dragged her back to the house and assaulted her.
“I screamed but no one came to my rescue because in South Africa people are afraid of armed robbers. In the house, he continued to assault me, telling me to remove my clothes.
“I tried to resist, but he forcibly removed my clothes and instructed me to look at him while he was naked before sexually abusing me several times without protection,” she said.
