Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
A 48-year-old Lupane man has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison after being convicted on two counts of raping a seven-year-old girl.
Clifford Moyo was convicted by Lupane Regional Magistrate, Mr Shepherd Munjanja following a full trial after he pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court heard that Moyo, who was a neighbour to the victim, committed the offences on 5 April 2026, while the child was on her way to collect tennis shoes from her father in the same village.
Prosecutor, Mr Mncedisi Dube told the court that the complainant met Moyo while passing through his maize field on her way to the shops. Moyo offered to accompany the child, claiming that he was heading in the same direction.
While walking together, Moyo allegedly asked the child to engage in sexual activity. As they approached a stream, he ordered her to remove her undergarment.
The court heard that Moyo instructed the child to hold onto a tree and bend backwards before lifting her skirt and raping her.
In the second incident, which formed the basis of the second count, Moyo reportedly ordered the child to lie on her back before raping her again.
After committing the offences, Moyo threatened the victim with assault if she disclosed the incidents to anyone and later disappeared into nearby bushland before reaching the shops.
The child later informed her mother about the ordeal. A report was subsequently made to the Zimbabwe Republic Police in Lupane on 8 April, and the complainant was referred for medical examination.
Investigations led to Moyo’s arrest and prosecution.
In passing sentence, the court found Moyo guilty on both counts of rape. He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment on each count. However, the court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective 20-year jail term.
