Rapist dad jailed 45 years

A KWEKWE man has been slapped with a 45-year jail term for raping his 13-year-old daughter on several occasions.

The man, who cannot be named to protect the victim, was arraigned before Gokwe magistrate Ms Sithembiso Ndebele where he pleaded not guilty but was convicted after a full trial.

The shocking ordeal occurred between March and December 2023 with the mother of the Grade Seven pupil, deciding to remain mum despite being told about the crime.

It is the State’s case that on count one, sometime in March 2023, the accused person was left in the custody of the complainant together with her three siblings after her mother had gone for a funeral.

The accused person then sent the girl’s siblings to the fields and he was left with the complainant.

“He then called her to the bedroom where he dragged her closer to him, pushed her to the bed where she fell down before he raped her once,” the court heard.

The complainant told her mother upon her return but she took no action.

On another day, in August 2023, the accused took advantage of the fact that the mother had gone to work where she was employed as a maid.

He then sent the siblings to the shops to buy him beer.

“When he was left alone with the complainant, the accused person entered the bedroom where she was cleaning, closed the complainant’s mouth and forced himself on her without protection,” the court heard.

After the act, the complainant again told her mother but nothing was done. On count three, again, the complainant was left in the custody of the man.

“He then told the complainant to come to his bedroom because he wanted to give her money to buy Christmas gifts. He then proceeded to lock the door and raped her once,” the court was told.

Again the mother, despite being told, did not act. The matter came to light when concerned neighbours reported the case to the Social Welfare Department who in turn reported the matter to the police leading to the arrest of the accused person.

Mr Malvern Nzombe represented the State.