adminMashudu Netsianda Senior Court Reporter
A BULAWAYO teenager who raped his four-year-old niece left in his custody by her parents, has been sentenced to eight years in jail. The boy, 17, of Sauerstown suburb was on Friday convicted of rape by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira. He will serve an effective five years in jail after three years were suspended for five years on condition that he does not within that period commit a similar crime.
Dzira, in his judgment, expressed concern over an increase in the number of cases of child sexual abuse. “You sexually abused a four-year-old victim who is your niece. In fact, what’s aggravating is that the accused was supposed to protect the victim but he betrayed the trust bestowed on him by the girl’s parents and sexually abused her,” said Dzira.
The magistrate said some of the cases of child abuse went undetected as some of the sex offenders are in the habit of threatening their victims. “The duty of the courts is to ensure that people like the accused person are given a chance to reform in prison. The court has been lenient because you’re a juvenile,” said Dzira.
Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe said on May 20 this year at about 6PM, the victim’s parents left the girl in the custody of the accused. The court heard that the accused took advantage of the absence of complainant’s parents and raped her. He then threatened to assault the victim if she reported the matter to her parents.
On the following day, the victim’s mother noticed some bruises and blood on the girl’s private parts. She then quizzed her and she revealed the rape leading to the accused’s arrest.
Online Reporter