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Sukoluhle Ndlovu
A 17-year-old Form Two boy from Zvishavane has been slapped with a five-year prison term for having sexual intercourse with his minor girlfriend which resulted in pregnancy.
The teen impregnated his 14-year-old girlfriend, also from the same area in Zvishavane town.
He pleaded guilty when he appeared before Zvishavane magistrate Archie Wochiunga facing one count of having sexual intercourse with a minor.
Passing judgment, Wochiunga said the accused had no right to sleep with the complainant as she was still young to consent to sex.
“You had no right to sleep with the complainant even though you two were dating. She is still young therefore she cannot consent to sex.
“You are therefore sentenced to five years in prison for the crime you committed. The sentence is, however, wholly suspended on condition that you do not commit a similar crime in five years,” he said.
In mitigation, the teen told the court that he was not aware that he was committing a crime when he had sex with the complainant.
“Your worship, l admit that l had sexual intercourse with her, but l did not know that I was committing an offence,” he said.
Circumstances surrounding the matter are that, sometime in June this year, the teen proposed love to the complainant and his proposal was accepted.
The two started dating and had sexual intercourse on several occasions up to the month of September 2019. The complainant later discovered that she was pregnant but did not tell anyone.
On September 25, the complainant opened up to her mother about the pregnancy after a confrontation.
The complainant’s mother then made a police report and a medical examination was made. Taurai Muzvinwe represented the State.
Online Reporter