Online Reporter
George Maponga
Masvingo Bureau
IN a case that has left the Masvingo community reeling, a 35-year-old tout has been sentenced to an effective 20 years in prison for raping a physically-challenged juvenile.
Evidence Timire, a resident of Aphiri suburb, was convicted by Masvingo regional magistrate Mr Innocent Bepura after a thorough trial that revealed overwhelming evidence against him.
The incident happened on September 20, when the nine-year-old victim, a girl from Mushandike, who can neither walk nor speak was left alone at home by her mother, who had gone to town for errands.
Timire, who lived nearby, approached the girl while she sat outside. He carried her into his home, where he raped her, ignoring her cries for help.
A teenage girl who resides in the same house heard the commotion and entered the room, and caught Timire in the act, prompting him to flee, leaving the victim alone and in distress.
The teenager quickly alerted the victim’s mother, who rushed to inspect her daughter and discovered blood stains on the child’s private parts.
The mother reported the incident to the police. A medical examination was conducted at Masvingo General Hospital, where the results confirmed that the girl had been raped.
The evidence collected was presented in court, substantiating the claims against Timire. For the State, Mr Liberty Hove presented a compelling case against Timire.
The overwhelming evidence, combined with the victim’s physical condition and the immediate actions of the teenage girl, nailed Timire and Mr Bepura convicted him.
