Online Reporter
Alicia Kadzviti
Herald Reporter
A FORMER fugitive has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for raping his 34-year-old neighbour, who has mental and physical disabilities and assaulting her 73-year-old grandmother.
The Gwanda Regional Magistrates’ Court handed down the sentence following a full trial. According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the offence occurred on March 12, 2018, at around 5 pm after the victim was left alone at home by her grandmother as she went to check on her maize crop.
Upon her return, the grandmother heard the victim screaming and rushed to the dining room window.
“The offender fled the scene upon being noticed,” read the statement
He returned shortly after, struck the grandmother with a wooden stick at the gate, and fled again.
A neighbour assisted the victims in filing a police report, leading to the arrest of the offender.
However, the court heard that he later violated his bail conditions and went on the run. An arrest warrant was subsequently issued, and he was re-arrested.
The court convicted him on charges of rape and assault, sentencing him to 19 years’ imprisonment.
The NPAZ said the convict targeted a vulnerable person, emphasising that offences of this nature carry severe penalties under the law.
