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Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
An Esigodini man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping his neighbour’s 13-year-old daughter. Luke Ndlovu of Chief Sigola’s area who at one stage interrupted court proceedings when he asked the magistrate to help him get a cigarette, claiming he had a serious headache, pleaded not guilty.
Regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza however convicted him of one count of rape due to overwhelming evidence.
Prosecutor Johannes Tlou said Ndlovu raped the complainant on March 10 this year.
“The complainant and her younger sister proceeded to Ndlovu’s homestead after he invited her to collect some milk. Upon arrival, the accused told the complainant that his wife, had spilled the milk and he was instead giving her mealie-meal.
“When the two sisters left for their home, Ndlovu used another route and managed to be ahead of them and laid an ambush. As the two sisters approached, Ndlovu emerged from his hiding and suddenly got hold of the complainant’s hand and dragged her into the bush where he raped her once,” Tlou said.
The complainant reported the rape to her grandmother and the case was subsequently reported to the police leading to Ndlovu’s arrest.
derick.khumalo