Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara [email protected]
A 25-year-old Bulawayo man has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping his 22-year-old cousin inside a motor vehicle after telling her that he had been admiring her for quite a long time.
The man from Sotshangane Flats, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Shingai Mutiro, charged with rape and was found guilty as charged.
Before passing the sentence, magistrate Mr Mutiro said rape is a serious offence in nature and that sexual intercourse between the two cousins is prohibited.
He then sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment saying the offence was committed in aggravating circumstances as the offender used violence. The victim suffered bruises on the hand and on the back.
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari told the court that on March 12 at around 11 PM, the accused person gained entry by means of jumping the perimeter wall into the complainant’s residence in Thorngroove and knocked on her bedroom window.
“The accused person identified himself and requested that the complainant assist him with attending to his motor vehicle that he claimed had developed a fault,” said Mr Mugari.
The court heard that the complainant agreed and unlocked the gate, and the accused then requested that the complainant accompany him to a filling station to get fuel.
The two proceeded to town, briefly stopping at a local nightclub before driving to Thorngrove.
“Upon arrival at Humbly Road, Thorngrove, the complainant wanted to disembark from the vehicle but the accused person locked all doors of the vehicle and came to sit at the back seat where the complainant was,” said Mr Mugari.
The court heard that the accused person started telling her that she was beautiful and that he admired her. He went on to forcefully pin her against the seat on her back whilst facing upwards.
They wrestled until the complainant fell into a gap between the front and back, facing upwards.
The accused person then dropped his trousers to knee level, lifted the complainant, pinned her against the seat and raped her once without protection.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the accused person and the complainant was referred to the hospital for medical examination and a medical report can be produced in court as an exhibit.
