Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Mutare Bureau
A 43-YEAR-OLD Marange man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, after being convicted of raping his 10-year-old niece, with the magistrate saying sexual predators have no space in the community.
Samuel Muchingami, of Chapeyama Village under Chief Marange, was convicted by magistrate Esteri Chivasa at the Mutare Magistrates’ Court.
In passing her sentence, magistrate Chivasa said Samuel took advantage of an innocent child.
“You preyed on an innocent child who looked up to you as a trusted uncle.
“Your actions were despicable and cruel, a gross abuse of trust and power.
“The courts have a duty to send a strong message to society that sexual predators, who target children, will be removed from the community. The trauma you caused this young girl will take a life-time to heal. You deserve every year of the sentence this court hands down.”
Tom Nyatsuro represented the State.
“On May 11, and at night, Samuel sneaked into the minor’s room.
“He blocked the minor’s mouth with his hands to stop her from making any noise before he sexually assaulted her.
“He then threatened her with assaults if she disclosed the matter to anyone.
“The following day the minor disclosed the matter to her aunt who then escorted her to Marange Police station and made a police report. The minor was referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital in Mutare for medical examinations and the medical report proved that she was raped,” he said.
Mathew Masinge