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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
A KEZI man who raped his 10-year-old niece has been committed to Mlondolozi Psychiatric Hospital after the court established that he was mentally unstable.
The man (25) from Mukwati West Village who cannot be named for ethical reasons pleaded guilty to rape when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira.
A special verdict was passed and he was found not guilty due to his mental illness and was ordered to be detained at Mlondolozi Psychiatric Hospital for treatment.
Mr Dzira had ordered the man to be examined by two doctors to ascertain his mental stability.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said the man raped his maternal niece on January 4 last year.
“On 4 January 2018 at around 10AM the complainant was on her way to fetch water from a nearby river in the company of her younger brother. While they were on their way the accused person followed them and threatened to beat up the boy who fled from the scene leaving his sister behind with the accused person.
“He dragged the complainant into the bush and raped her. The accused person warned his niece against reporting the incident. The complainant proceeded home and reported the matter to her grandmother. The matter was reported to the police resulting in the arrest of the accused person,’’ he said.
In another incident, a 14-year-old has been cautioned for raping his eight-year-old cousin.
The teenager from Ndiweni Village in Kezi was convicted on his own plea of guilty to rape by Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said the teenager raped the complainant on June 20.
“On 20 June at around 3PM the accused was sent by his aunt to collect firewood in a nearby bush. Accused asked the complainant and her younger brother to accompany him and they agreed.
“When they had not returned after a long time the complainant’s mother followed them. When she found them in the bush she noticed some sand on the complainant’s head.
“She questioned her daughter who revealed that the accused person had raped her. The matter was reported at Kezi Police Station,’’ he said. — @DubeMatutu
Online Reporter