adminrape but was convicted of a lesser charge of bedding a girl under the age of consent, which is 16, after the evidence led by the prosecution failed to sustain a rape charge. Mbedzi was accused of waylaying and raping the girl at knifepoint while she was coming from school. Regional magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza suspended six months of the 24-month sentence leaving Mbedzi to serve an effective 18 months. In his defence, Mbedzi offered a limited plea which the State accepted.
In passing sentence, Mr Mabeza noted that the complainant’s testimony failed to sustain a rape charge against Mbedzi resulting in him being convicted of a lesser charge. Mr Johannes Tlou prosecuted.
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