Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-, MatutuMatabeleland South Bureau Chief
A 45-YEAR-OLD Filabusi man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for repeatedly raping his nine-year-old niece, leaving the girl traumatised.
The accused, whose name is withheld to protect the victim, pleaded not guilty to rape charges, but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence by Gwanda regional magistrate, Ms Sithembiso Mkandla
In passing sentence, Ms Mkandla said rape is a serious offence and the sentence must reflect the gravity the crime.
“The offender is 45 and the complainant is nine, a 36-year age gap. Her body and mind are not developed to engage in sexual activity. Rape is a serious offence and the sentence passed even on first offenders must reflect the gravity of the crime,” she said.
Ms Mkandla noted that the rape left the child traumatised and unable to play with other children.
“The medical report shows hymenal tears and bruises on the complainant’s private parts. At nine years old, such injuries do not occur naturally and they are clear signs of sexual abuse,” she said.
The prosecutor, Ms Zanele Sithole, told the court that the assaults occurred between December 2024 and May this year. In one incident, the complainant was left at home with her five-year-old sister and the accused while their grandmother fetched firewood.
The accused then instructed the younger child to tend the goats before leading the complainant behind a hut and raped her. He then attempted to buy her silence by giving her some chocolate.
The abuse continued until 30 May when the grandmother noticed that the complainant was sleeping without her panties.
The girl revealed she had been raped multiple times. A report was made to the police leading to the accused’s arrest.
