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Midlands Correspondent
A 29-year-old stepfather from Gokwe was yesterday slapped with a 20-year jail term after he was found guilty of raping his one-year-old stepdaughter.
Newton Makati of Mataranganwa village under Chief Nemangwe in Gokwe had pleaded not guilty to rape charges when he appeared before Gokwe regional magistrate, Mr Amos Mbobo.
He was, however, convicted after a full trial and sentenced to an effective 20 years.
The State’s case was that on March 15 this year, Makati raped his wife’s one-year-old daughter after the mother had left the girl in his custody while she fetched firewood.
While the complainant’s mother was fetching firewood, Makati awakened the baby who was sleeping in their bedroom and removed her nappies and raped her once.
However, luck ran out for Makati when the complainant’s mother heard her daughter crying and rushed to investigate, only to find Makati sweating it out on her daughter.
Makati fled from the scene.
The complainant’s mother reported the matter to the police leading to Makati’s arrest.
Mr Robert Ndlala appeared for the State.
Usually minors are raped by relatives.
Online Reporter