Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara [email protected]
A 29-year-old man from Mbembesi who was convicted of two counts of having sexual intercourse with a minor aged 16 years twice has been sentenced to six years in prison.
Elliot Vhendo of stand 18 Mantanjeni Village appeared before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Ms Sibonginkosi Mkandla facing a charge of rape.
However, after trial he was found guilty and convicted of having sexual intercourse with a young person who at law cannot consent.
He told the court that they were in a relationship.
In passing the sentence, the magistrate sentenced the accused person to three years in jail on each count. Of the six years, two years were suspended for five years on condition of good behavior.
Prosecuting, Ms Tsungai Mutapi told the court that sometime during the period January to April 2026, the accused person went to the complainant’s place of residence at around 8PM and asked her to accompany him to his place of residence and she agreed.
The court heard that, during the night the accused person raped the complainant once without her consent and at law she cannot consent to the act.
“The second incident occurred on May 23, the complainant was at church at Mantanjeni Village when the accused person approached her, grabbed her and went outside with her. Whilst outside the accused grabbed her to a nearby bush where he then had anal sexual intercourse with her without her consent,” she said.
The matter came to light when the complainant reported the matter to her mother on May 26 and a report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person.
The complainant was then referred to the hospital for treatment and a medical report was produced in court as exhibit.
