Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza
Herald Correspondent
A 25-YEAR-OLD Harare tout who raped a Grade 7 learner at the Rezende Street bus terminus has been sentenced to 15 years in jail by Harare regional magistrate Mrs Fadzai Mthombeni.
Givemore Mutape pleaded not guilty, but was convicted of raping the minor after a full trial.
In his defence, Mutape told the court he was not a tout, but repairs car radios for a living and on the day in question, he was repairing a commuter omnibus radio at the rank.
He also claimed he could not engage in sexual activity because he did not have testicles and challenged the court to have him medically examined to prove his incapacity.
The State, led by Mr Kudakwashe Muza, presented evidence that on July 19 last year, the complainant left home alone around midday to collect money for extra lessons from her stepfather at the corner of Leopold Takawira and Jason Moyo streets.
After receiving US$10 from her stepfather, she began walking home.
At the Rezende Parkade rank, while waiting to board a commuter omnibus to Marlborough, touts started obstructing her from entering the commuter omnibus.
Mutape allegedly approached the girl, offered to help and ordered her into a white commuter omnibus that was parked nearby.
She complied and sat alone in the back passenger seat.
The court heard that Mutape followed her into the kombi, locked the doors, placed a white cloth over her mouth and raped her.
He later released the victim, who returned home.
The matter came to light on July 21 when the girl’s uncle visited her school and complained that she had returned late from town.
The complainant was then interviewed by her teacher and disclosed the sexual assault.
