admin
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A 39-year-old Harare man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after he was found guilty on two counts of raping his stepdaughter.
The man (39) was convicted and sentenced by Harare magistrate, Mrs Fadzai Mtombeni.
In her ruling, the magistrate said the State managed to prove a prima facie case against the man
Allegations are that on an unknown date towards the end of 2014, the convict was teaching the complainant and her sister how to swim.
He started fondling the complainant’s breasts and private parts.
On the second count, the court heard that the convict went into the complainant’s room and got into her blankets.
When the complainant woke up, she discovered that he was on top of her. He closed her mouth with one hand and raped her.
The State led by Blessed Songoza proved that sometime in 2015, the convict would occasionally transport the complainant to and from school using his kombi.
During these times, the convict would rape the complainant.
Sometime in March 2022 on an unknown date, the complainant fell sick and sought the convict’s help.
The court heard that the convict suggested that he could take her to Masvingo to see a doctor.
While in Masvingo, the relatives they were staying with left for Harare and left them alone.
He took advantage of the situation and raped the complainant four times.
Sometime in April 2022, the complainant fell in love with someone and told him about the sexual abuse.
The boyfriend then told the complainant’s sister who then confronted the convict over the issue.
The boyfriend then accompanied the complainant to ZRP Highlands to make a police report, leading to the convict’s arrest.
Online Reporter