Man, 38, rapes neighbour’s daughter, 6

Mpumelelo Nyoni Chronicle Reporter
AN unemployed father of three wiped a six-year-old girl’s bloodied privates with a cloth shortly after raping her and told her to keep the shameful act a secret, a court heard. Collen Mlalazi, 38, from Kitshi Squatter Camp on the outskirts of Bulawayo, appeared before regional magistrate Crispen James Mberewere facing a charge of rape.

Prosecuting, Trust Mudume told how on February 23 this year, the girl was left in Mlalazi’s custody when her mother went to church around 9AM.
“The juvenile was playing with Mlalazi’s daughter when he called her into his house and raped her once. After raping her, he (Mlalazi) wiped her bloodied privates with a cloth and told her not to tell anyone about the matter,” said Mudume.

The prosecutor said the incident was discovered on the same day at about 4PM when the girl’s mother returned from church.
“Upon noticing that her daughter had difficulty in walking and was complaining of stomach pains, she quizzed her on the matter.

“The juvenile revealed that she was raped by Mlalazi and a report was made to the police leading to his arrest,” said Mudume.
Mlalazi pleaded not guilty to the charge and in his defence claimed the girl was raped by a 10-year-old boy from the same camp.

Magistrate Mberewere dismissed the claim, saying a 10-year-old boy could not inflict such damage on a girl. “The medical report shows that there was considerable damage to the girl’s privates. Your defence is baseless as there is no way a 10-year-old boy’s penis could inflict such damage,” said the magistrate.

“The offence you have committed is a serious one which invariably calls for incarceration for such offenders. A deterrent sentence is therefore necessary as it sends a message to would-be offenders. It is important that we rid society of sex pests such as yourself.”

He sentenced him to 15 years in prison and suspended three for five years on condition he does not within that period commit a similar crime.