Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
A 54-YEAR-OLD Mutare man was recently slapped with a 15-year jail term after he was convicted of raping a 16-year-old mentally-challenged girl TWICE.
He appeared before regional magistrate, Phathekile Msipa, while Last Goredema prosecuted.
It was the State’s case that sometime in January, the victim was walking home along a footpath when she met the rapist, who is her neighbour.
The rapist grabbed the victim by the hand and dragged her into a nearby bush.
“Following the sexual assault, he gave her a packet of snacks to buy her silence and threatened her with harm if she revealed the incident to anyone,” said Goredema.
“During the same month, the offender targeted the victim a second time.
“The victim was on her way to the fields when the offender followed her, dragged her into the bush, undressed her, and raped her again.
“He reiterated his threats, warning her not to disclose the abuse.”
The prosecution said the matter came to light only when the victim’s mother noticed that she was no longer using sanitary pads.
Upon questioning, the victim disclosed the ordeal to her mother.
A report was subsequently made to the police leading to the offender’s arrest.
