daniel chigunwe
Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
A 25-year-old herdboy in the Tshinvhazwimi, Chief Tshitaudze in Beitbridge was on Friday jailed 15 years for raping a 15-year-old Form Two learner left in his custody on New Year’s Eve.
Mickson Ncube was arrested after raping the complainant at knife point.
Although he pleaded not guilty to a charge of rape, he was convicted on the strength of the State evidence when he appeared before Beitbridge regional magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa.
Ncube will serve an effective 15 years after the magistrate conditionally set aside three years of the 18-year term.
Prosecuting, Mr Willbrought Muleya told the court that on December 31 the accused was left in the company of the two children by their mother who left for Beitbridge town.
The mother did not return on the same day as promised due to other reasons.
The court heard that later in the night, the complaint was awakened by Ncube.
She then screamed for help, but it was in vain as Ncube threatened to stab her with a kitchen knife he was holding.
The accused lifted the victim from her room and took her outside where he met her young brother who had been awakened by her cry for help.
Ncube also threatened to stab the minor before dragging the complainant to the bush where he raped her once at knife point.
He then ordered the girl to return home where upon arrival informed her mother over the phone about the ordeal. A report was made to the police who swiftly arrested Ncube.
Online Reporter