Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
A 50-YEAR-OLD man from Victoria Falls has been jailed for two years after being convicted of abusing his tenant’s 16-year-old daughter.
The offence came to light when the man’s wife discovered incriminating messages on his mobile phone, exchanged with the juvenile, leading to the girl revealing the relationship.
The man, from Chinotimba suburb, was convicted by Victoria Falls magistrate Ms Linda Dzvene, of having an unlawful relationship with a minor.
Prosecuting, Ms Audrey Mukanganya told the court that the complainant, who resides at the same house as the accused, was enticed into a relationship in June this year.
“During that month, the accused proposed love to the complainant and she accepted. He later arranged to meet her near the Roman Catholic Church in Chinotimba before taking her to a house where he asked to be intimate with her and she agreed,” said Ms Mukanganya.
The court further heard that the accused again engaged in the unlawful conduct with the minor in July at another house in Chinotimba.
The matter was exposed on July 28, when the accused’s wife discovered messages between the two. The complainant then confided in her aunt, who assisted in reporting the matter to the police.
The accused was subsequently arrested, and the complainant confirmed in court that she had been in a relationship with him.
Meanwhile, four game rangers have each been sentenced to an effective two years in jail in two separate cases of kidnapping and assault.
Doesmatter Ndlovu, Gilbert Ncube, Decent Mushunje and Francis Ncube were found guilty of unlawfully depriving Godknows Mpala of his freedom and assaulting him.
The court heard that on June 28, at around 10PM, Mpala was drinking beer with his brother Lashani Shoko at Moyo Complex Bar in Matetsi near Victoria Falls, when the four approached him, accusing him of stealing tents from Motsanei Guest Lodge.
They dragged him outside, handcuffed him and forced him into a Toyota Land Cruiser against his will. When his brother tried to intervene, they chased him away.
The rangers drove Mpala to his home, searched his room, and later took him to another person’s residence while still in custody. They eventually dropped him along the road near Matetsi bus stop at around 1AM.
On the second count, the four were convicted of assault after repeatedly striking Mpala with batons during the ordeal.
After a full trial, Magistrate Dzvene convicted the quartet and sentenced them to three years, of which one year was suspended. They will serve an effective 24 months behind bars.
