Online Reporter
Ryan Sibanda, [email protected]
A 25-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for sexually abusing a five-year-old boy in Magwegwe.
The man, who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of the minor, appeared before
Tredgold Magistrate Mrs Sibonginkosi Mnkandla, who convicted him of aggravated indecent assault.
Prosecuting, Mrs Tsungi Mutapi said the offences were committed between June and July this year at a house in Magwegwe West.
The court heard that the accused sexually abused the boy on several occasions and allegedly gave him money in an attempt to persuade him not to disclose the offences.
The accused denied the allegations during the trial, maintaining that he had neither given the child money nor sexually abused him.
However, the court found him guilty after considering the evidence presented by the State.
The court heard that the complainant was a minor and, owing to his age, was incapable of consenting to any form of sexual activity.
In passing sentence, Mrs Mnkandla sentenced the accused to 20 years’ imprisonment, with five years suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during the period of suspension.
He will therefore effectively serve 15 years in prison.
The court took into account the seriousness of the offence and the age of the complainant in determining an appropriate sentence.
