Two men gang up and rape girl (15)

TWO Bulawayo friends who ganged up and took turns to rape their neighbour’s 14-year-old daughter at knifepoint were on Thursday each sentenced to an effective 15 years in jail.

Brian Mvere (19) and Shepherd Msipa (24) both from Emganwini suburb in Bulawayo, pleaded not guilty but were convicted by Western Commonage regional magistrate Mrs Sibongile Marondedze.

The incident occurred sometime in September last year when the complainant was on her way home from school.

In her ruling, Mrs Marondedze condemned the offenders’ conduct, saying their actions left the victim traumatised.

“The accused persons are a danger to the community and themselves, due to their predatory behaviour hence the need for deterrence to avoid future offenders. There is a need to protect the girl child through passing harsh sentences to such offenders, and accordingly, they are sentenced to an effective 15 years,” said Mrs Marondedze.

The prosecutor, Ms Manyika said sometime in September last year, the complainant was coming from school when she passed through where Mvere and Msipa were seated.

The two men called the girl but she did not respond and continued with her journey.

The court heard that Mvere and Msipa pursued the girl and caught up with her.

Mvere produced a kitchen knife and threatened to stab her if she screamed.

After that, they dragged her to Msipa’s house where they took turns to rape the complainant.

The matter came to light when the complainant was asked by her father why she arrived home late and she narrated her ordeal. A report was made to the police leading to the arrest of the two men.