adminThandeni Ncube (27), from Tshitshi Village under Chief Tshitshi in Mangwe, pleaded not guilty to rape but was convicted by Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mrs Judith Zuyu.
In arriving at the sentence, the magistrate noted that cases of sexual abuse of children are now on the increase. She said what Ncube did was tantamount to biting the hand that feeds him.
The court also said his blameworthiness was very high and that the only befitting punishment was a mandatory prison term of 20 years.
Mr Jabulani Isaac Mhlanga, for the State, told the court that on 5 June this year, at around 8am, Ncube went to the complainant’s homestead in a neighbouring area where he was receiving treatment.
On arrival, he found the complainant playing with two children aged four years.
He called her and asked her to clean the room where he used to sleep while receiving treatment.
He followed her into the room, grabbed her and threw her on the bed before raping her.
Online Reporter