adminTimoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
A Gweru woman and the man she assisted to rape a 15-year-old girl have been sentenced to a combined 24-years in prison. Blessing Ziwumburu, 39, of Chikwira Farm, Treetop, Gweru assisted Weston Matwasa, 23, of Baleni Village under Chief Sogwala in Lower Gweru to rape the teenager by locking up Matwasa and the girl in the same room.
They were both convicted of rape by regional magistrate Morgan Nemadire.
Nemadire sentenced Ziwumburu to nine years in prison while Matwasa was sentenced to 15 years.
Ziwumburu will, however, serve an effective six years while Matwasa will serve an effective 12 years after Nemadire suspended three years for each on condition of good behaviour.
In passing sentence Nemadire said the courts were worried with the upsurge of rape cases, hence it had to come up with deterrent sentences.
He said: “In passing sentence I considered the fact that the two of you acted in common purpose in committing this offence. Rape cases are on the increase hence the need for the courts to pass harsh sentences to deter would be offenders,” said Nemadire.
For the State, Emmanuel Matosi told the court that on July 27 last year Matwasa went to Ziwumburu’s homestead where the complainant was staying since her mother who is a friend of Ziwumburu had travelled.
He said Ziwumburu sent the complainant and Matwasa to the shops to buy milk.
“On their way back from the shops, Matwasa proposed love to the complainant who turned him down,” said Matosi.
He said later that night, Ziwumburu and Matwasa hatched a plan to rape the girl.
“When it was time to sleep, the complainant retired to her room. After sometime, Matwasa joined her in the same room. The complainant asked him what he wanted in her room and Matwasa told the complainant that he wanted to have sexual intercourse with her,” said Matosi.
He said Ziwumburu came and locked the door from outside and went to her room.
Matosi said Matwasa raped the minor several times that night and threatened to kill her if she reported the matter to anyone.
“Around 4AM, Ziwumburu came and unlocked the door before telling Matwasa to leave the house.
The complainant reported the rape to her mother who then reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of Ziwumburu and Matwasa.
Online Reporter