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Thupeyo Muleya-Beitbridge Bureau
One of the two Gwanda herd boys who took turns to rape an 11-year-old girl from Mkhalipe was on Monday jailed for an effective 18 years by a Beitbridge regional court.
Proud Mnkhandla (31) and his accomplice who is still at large is accused of having committed the offence in May this year.
Although Mnkhandla denied the rape charge, Beitbridge regional magistrate Mr innocent Bepura convicted him on the strength of overwhelming evidence presented by the State.
Prosecuting, Mr Willbrought Muleya said on May 2 the complainant who is a Grade Four pupil at Mkhalipe Primary School was left in her father’s care while her mother went to a funeral in Binga.
On her way from school on May 30, the victim, who was alone, met Mnkhandla and his friend.
At the time, the two friends were employed as herd boys in the victim’s village.
The court heard that two men ordered the victim to accompany them to a nearby stream.
While at the stream, Mnkhandla and his friend raped the girl, taking turns to be on a lookout during the act.
After committing the offence, the duo threatened to kill the juvenile if she ever reported the matter to anyone.
The issue came to light in June when the girl’s mother returned from Binga and discovered that her daughter was unhappy and refusing to eat.
In discussing what was bothering her, the girl narrated her ordeal to her mother. She revealed that she was experiencing some pain on her genitals.
The complainant’s father was then advised and he subsequently reported the matter to the police, leading to Mnkhandla’s arrest.
Online Reporter