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Zvikomborero Parafini
A 32-YEAR-OLD Harare man, Pasca Chipinda, who operated an unregistered school, Riverton in Stonridge Park, Waterfalls, was last week sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping his 10-year-old niece.
Chipinda was convicted after a full trial presided over by Harare regional magistrate Fadzai Mthombeni.
The magistrate said Chipinda, being married to the girl’s aunt and thus in a position of trust, had violated that trust by committing the crime.
The State, represented by prosecutor Chido Gohori, presented evidence that in August of last year, the young girl had gone to her aunt’s house during the school holidays.
On an unknown day that month, while the girl was home alone — her aunt had gone to the market — Chipinda entered her bedroom.
In a horrifying act, he covered her mouth with a black cloth, pushed her onto the bed, and raped her. He threatened to kill her if she disclosed the incident to anyone.
Later that evening, the girl confided in her aunt about the assault, but unfortunately, no immediate action was taken. The situation escalated when the girl’s mother fetched her after the holidays.
In January of this year, the mother noticed an unusual discharge on her daughter’s clothes and took her to Kotwa Hospital for a medical examination.
Following the examination, the child was referred to Kotwa Social Welfare, where she disclosed the abuse to a social worker.
This revelation ultimately led to Chipinda’s arrest and subsequent conviction.
Online Reporter