Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara,[email protected]
A 60-YEAR-OLD man from Nkayi who facilitated the rape of his 12-year-old granddaughter by their 19-year-old neighbour on three separate occasions in exchange for beer has been sentenced to 20 years in prison alongside the perpetrator.
The elderly man, whose identity cannot be revealed to protect the victim, and the teenager, both from Pawu 1 Village, were convicted on three counts of rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla.
In passing sentence, Ms Mkandla noted the age difference between the two accused, pointing out that the first accused was a 19-year-old young man while the second accused was 60 years old.
Both were sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count, with the sentences set to run concurrently.
Prosecuting, Ms Tsungai Mutapi told the court that the teenager regularly bought beer for the elderly man, and the two would frequently drink together.
The court heard that in exchange for the beer, the pair reached an agreement that allowed the teenager to have access to the complainant on December 7 last year.
“Acting on that agreement, at around 10 PM, the teenager went to the elderly man’s bedroom, where the complainant was sleeping with her two siblings,” said Ms Mutapi.
According to the State, the teenager entered the complainant’s bedding area during the night.
“When the complainant screamed, her grandfather feigned ignorance. The teenager then removed his clothes and raped the complainant,” said Ms Mutapi.
The court heard that when the complainant attempted to report the incident to her grandfather, he instructed her not to tell anyone.
On the following day, the teenager returned to the homestead, where he again entered the complainant’s sleeping area and assaulted her.
The pattern continued on a third occasion, with the teenager repeating the same act under the same arrangement, according to the court record.
The abuse came to light when the complainant later informed her grandmother, who reported the matter to the police, leading to the arrest of both accused persons.
The complainant was subsequently referred to hospital for a medical examination as part of the investigation.
