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Mashudu Mambo
A 36-YEAR-OLD man from Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North province who lured his 15-year-old neighbour with biscuits and raped her in a bush has been slapped with an effective 18-year jail sentence.
Presiding over the case, Bulawayo regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza found Cosmas Ndlovu guilty of rape after a full trial.
While handing down the sentence, the magistrate said the offence was committed under aggravating circumstances.
“The offence was committed in 2021 when the victim was 15 years old and the complainant is bound to suffer from trauma as a result of the incident,” he said.
The court heard that on 13 March 2021 at around 7pm, the victim was on her way to church, in the company of her friends when they met up with the culprit.
Ndlovu joined them and when they reached Skente shops, he offered to buy the victim some biscuits and chips.
He came after some time with the goodies and the victim’s friends left the victim with the culprit. Realising that the victim’s friends were far, Ndlovu dragged her to a bushy area.
The culprit pushed the victim to the ground and undressed her, he raped her once.
After the incident, the victim went home and narrated the whole ordeal to her mother.
The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the perpetrator.
The victim was referred to Tsholotsho Hospital for medical examination and a medical report was produced in court as evidence.
Online Reporter