Online Reporter
A 19-year-old Gwanda gold panner has been sentenced to an effective 15 years imprisonment for raping his neighbour’s nine-year-old daughter as she was returning home from school.
The man, who pleaded not guilty to rape was convicted by Gwanda regional magistrate, Ms Sithembiso Ndebele due to overwhelming evidence.
In passing sentence, Ms Ndebele noted the vulnerability of the victim given the age difference between her and the perpetrator.
Ms Ndebele said the victim suffered psychological trauma as highlighted by her grandmother who said she had become withdrawn and fearful of her peers.
“The law states that if a sexual offence is committed under aggravating circumstances then the sentence shouldn’t be less than 15 years.
“The medical report which was tendered before the court as evidence shows that there was penetration which caused injuries,” said Ms Ndebele.
She said there is a need for a deterrent sentence to serve as a warning to others who might want to prey on children.
The prosecutor, Ms Zanele Sithole told the court that sometime last year, the victim, a Grade Three pupil, was intercepted by the accused on her way home from school.
He lured her into his house and raped her. The abuse came to light when the victim’s younger sister noticed she was using pieces of fabric to manage bleeding and informed their mother.
Upon questioning, the child disclosed the assault and a report was made to the police leading to the accused’s arrest.
@DubeMatutu
