adminMasvingo Correspondent
A 17-YEAR-OLD boy from Masvingo was lucky to escape with a corporal punishment for raping his employer’s seven-year-old daughter who had been left under his custody.The boy was convicted on his own plea of guilty by Masvingo regional magistrate Mrs Judith Zuyu on Tuesday.
The magistrate initially sentenced the boy to three years in prison which she suspended on condition that he receives six strokes to be administered at Masvingo Prison.
The boy was employed as a domestic worker by the complainant’s parents. The boy failed to give his age in court as he is illiterate and court officials had to consult Masvingo General Hospital where he was born to ascertain his age.
He also professed ignorance when asked by the magistrate how much he was earning as a domestic worker.
The State’s case was that on 26 May at about 8am the girl’s parents left their daughter at home with the boy as they attended a funeral.
When the mother returned a few hours later, she found the two sitting in the kitchen and the girl looked unhappy.
The mother asked what had happened and she narrated her ordeal.
A report was made to the police leading to the boy’s arrest. Ms Sophia Busvumani represented the State.
Online Reporter