Online Reporter
Getrude Manyande [email protected]
A 35-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man who raped his former wife after threatening her with a knife has been sentenced to an effective 15 years in prison.
The man, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainant, was convicted of rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Shingai Mutiro.
In passing sentence, Mr Mutiro said the use of a dangerous weapon and threats aggravated the offence. He said the circumstances of the offence warranted a harsh custodial sentence.
“The accused violated the victim’s dignity by engaging in unprotected sex, thereby exposing her to sexually transmitted infections,” he said.
The court heard that the accused forced his way into the complainant’s home after initially threatening her and her boyfriend.
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari said that on August 10, the complainant was sleeping with her boyfriend at his home when the accused arrived and threatened them.
“The accused ordered the complainant to get dressed so that he could escort her to her place of residence,” he said.
The court heard that after accompanying the complainant to her home, the accused was asked to leave.
However, he pretended to comply, then returned and entered the complainant’s bedroom.
The court heard that the accused then got into the complainant’s blankets and raped her. A report was made to the police leading to the accused’s arrest.
