adminShakewell Dube, who resides in headman Foromera’s area, denied the charge of rape when his fast track trial opened, but was convicted on the strength of overwhelming evidence provided by the State.
Dube was left with 16 years effective to save after regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira conditionally suspended four years of his 20-year jail term for five years.
In passing sentence, Mr Dzira said cases of sexual abuse were on the increase hence the need to pass deterrent sentences on perpetrators of such crimes.
“You used a knife and threats in commission of this offence which was enough to traumatise the complainant,” he said.
“What also makes matters worse is that you raped her six times throughout the night at knife point.”
Prosecutor Mr Admire Zvongouya told the court that on 22 July last year, Dube went to the complainant’s homestead at around 8pm.
He found the juvenile sharing jokes with her older sister and younger brother aged between 4 and 5 years. Dube joined them in the conversation.
Later in the night, the complainant’s elder sister retired to bed leaving Dube talking to his victim and the brother.
Dube took a kitchen knife and threatened to stab the girl if she refused to have sexual intercourse with him. He dragged the girl into a hut and raped her six times throughout the night.
Dube left the homestead at around 6am the following morning.
A report was made to police leading to Dube’s arrest in the same village.
Online Reporter