Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu and Getrude Manyande Zimpapers Writers
A 62-YEAR-OLD Gwanda man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping his 16-year-old step-granddaughter after she rejected his advances. The man, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, was convicted of rape by Gwanda regional magistrate Mrs Sithembiso Ndebele.
Prosecuting, Mr Ngonidzashe Shumba said the offence occurred in April at the accused’s rural home in Nhwali. The court heard that the accused had first approached the girl several months before the rape and proposed a romantic relationship, but she turned him down.
“On an unknown day but in February, the complainant was sent by her mother to collect tomatoes from the accused person’s house in Nhwali area, which is a neighbouring ward. The complainant found the accused person alone at home, and he proposed love to her, but she refused and left his home,” said Mr Shumba.
Two months later, the complainant and her siblings travelled to Nhwali to visit the accused and their grandmother. The court heard that while the girl was cleaning the accused’s bedroom, he again made sexual advances towards her.
“The accused person found the complainant cleaning his bedroom and he requested to sleep with her, but she refused. He then grabbed the girl by the hand and forcibly removed her clothes,” said Mr Shumba.
The accused pushed the complainant onto a bed and raped her before threatening to assault her if she revealed the incident.
Several days later, the girl fled the homestead and returned home, where she disclosed the assault to her mother. The matter was reported to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old Umguza man has been sentenced to 350 hours of community service for indecently assaulting a neighbour after she rejected his love proposal. Herbert Mafukidzi was convicted of indecent assault by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Golden Mahamba.
He was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment, with two months suspended for five years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period. The remaining 10 months were suspended on condition that Mafukidzi performs 350 hours of community service at Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Fairbridge Camp.
Prosecuting, Mr Arnold Mudekunye told the court that on March 23 at about 7AM, Mafukidzi approached the complainant as she was walking along a road and blocked her path.
He then proposed a romantic relationship, but she rejected his advances. He grabbed her hand and started fondling her breast and slapped her behind,” said Mr Mudekunye.
The court heard that the complainant fell to the ground while attempting to free herself. While she was on the ground, Mafukidzi continued fondling her breasts and touching her buttocks.
The complainant later reported the incident to the police, resulting in Mafukidzi’s arrest.
