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Danisa Masuku
A 48-year-old man who cannot be named for ethical reasons recently appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Sibongile Msipa-Marondedze facing four counts of rape.
He pleaded not guilty to all counts. However, after the completion of the trial he was found guilty and was sentenced.
The magistrate slapped him with 15 years for each count. He will however, serve count one to count three concurrently and will effectively serve 30 years in jail.
In sentencing him, the state represented by Melissa Dube said the vile man turned his stepdaughter into a sex slave and put the minor’s health at risk as he is HIV-positive.
She also said the man committed the offence at home and on his matrimonial bed. When the minor enters the bedroom she would be haunted by the sad memories of the ordeal, the court said.
The magistrate highlighted that before the man raped the minor he would threaten to stab her with a knife. The court noted that the man was a first-time offender who used a dangerous weapon to rape his stepdaughter.
She said he is a danger to society and to himself. The magistrate said the aggravating circumstances far outweigh the mitigating circumstances. She said due to that the vile man deserves a jail sentence.
The court heard that on 2 February this year while his wife was not at home he called his stepdaughter to his bedroom and sexually attacked her. It was heard in court that on 8 February this year while his wife was not at home again the rapist dragged the minor to his bedroom and threatened to stab her with an Okapi knife, after that he raped her.
On the following day on 9 February while his wife was not at home he called the minor to the living room and placed a knife on his throat before walking her to his bedroom where he sexually attacked her.
The court also heard that sometime in March this year while his wife was not at home, he called the minor to his bedroom and carried out the sickening attack.
Online Reporter