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Tsenulo Moyo
STEPDAD from hell!
Justice was finally served when a 41-year-old man from Dlawa village in Nkayi, Matabeleland North province, who repeatedly raped his 13-year-old stepdaughter was sentenced to 15 years in jail.
The man whose name is being withheld to protect the victim appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mutiro Shingirai Mathew charged with rape. He pleaded not guilty but was recently convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The accused, who was also found with 68 dagga plants in his garden, received an additional three-year sentence for the unlawful cultivation of a dangerous drug. The magistrate suspended one year on the cultivation of dagga on the condition of good behavior.
The court heard that the victim’s mother deserted her sometime in March 2022, leaving her in the accused’s care. It was proved that the abuse began on 1 April 2022, when the accused sneaked into the victim’s blankets and sexually assaulted her. This abuse continued on various occasions until 30 November 2023.
The matter came to light when the victim was found walking alone on 26 November 2023, by a concerned community member who took her to his home. While at his home the man and his wife noticed blood stains on her dress, and asked the victim about them, leading to her disclosure.
The matter was then reported to the police, resulting in the arrest of the accused and the victim being taken to the hospital. Furthermore, upon the accused’s arrest, 68 dagga plants were discovered in his garden.
Online Reporter