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Mashudu Mambo
A 62-YEAR-OLD man from Old Pumula suburb in Bulawayo who tried to conceal a rape case by offering to marry his 18-year-old niece has been slapped with an effective 20-year jail sentence.
The man, whose identity cannot be disclosed for ethical reasons, appeared before a Bulawayo magistrate facing a charge of rape.
The court heard that on 30 August 2024, the victim went to the culprit’s house to look after the children while his wife was away.
The perpetrator got home at around 6pm and called the victim to his bedroom. He gave her R100.
He asked her to send the children to the shops to buy groceries, but she decided to go on her own. After some time, the family retired to bed.
At around 11 pm, the culprit awoke the victim and called her to his bedroom on the pretext that he wanted to give her lunch money for the next day.
He grabbed the victim by the hand and forced her into his bedroom. He then pulled out a knife from his pocket and threatened to stab and kill the victim if she made any noise before he raped her.
After the rape, he told the victim that she was now a woman and she should get ready for him to marry her.
On 14 September 2024, the culprit’s wife also tried to persuade the victim to become the culprit’s second wife, but she declined.
The matter was reported to the police, leading to the arrest of the culprit.
Online Reporter