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From George Maponga in Masvingo
A 65 year-old headman from Bikita was jailed for an effective 13 years for raping a mentally-challenged woman twice near her parents’ home. The man was initially slapped with an 18-year jail sentence by Masvingo regional magistrate Mrs Judith Zuyu, who conditionally suspended five years last week.
Mrs Zuyu jailed the man despite his plea for leniency on the grounds that he was a widower and needed to take care of his children and grandchildren back home. Agreed facts are that on July 17 this year, the man went to the victim’s homestead and found her at home with her father.
He then asked to borrow a hacksaw from the victim’s father which he was given before the latter excused himself saying he wanted to look for his livestock at the pastures.
The headman then stayed behind with the victim to whom he passed sexually suggestive comments while standing at a kitchen door.
He then grabbed the victim’s hand and pulled her out of the kitchen before taking her to a secluded place nearby and raped her twice.
The victim, mentally-challenged from birth, reported the matter to her father on his return home and a report was made to the police, leading to headman’s arrest. Ms Sophia Bhusvumani appeared for the State.
Online Reporter