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Thandeka Moyo Court Reporter
A 29-YEAR-OLD Makokoba vendor has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for sodomising a 15-year-old boy.
Lepious Nyathi denied sexually abusing the juvenile saying he was one of the many being falsely accused of sodomising the boy.“Your Honour I did not sexually abuse the boy and I am not the only one being falsely accused of sodomising this boy,” said Nyathi.
Regional magistrate Mark Dzira however found him guilty of aggravated indecent assault and sentenced him to 16 years in prison.
Passing sentence Dzira said the courts had a duty to send a clear message that abuse of children is not condoned by society.
“Cases of sexual abuse have reached alarming levels and the courts therefore should pass deterrent sentences,” said Dzira.
Nyathi will however serve an effective 12 years in prison after four years were suspended on condition he will within the next five years not commit a similar offence.
Prosecuting, Tinashe Dzipe said on an unknown date in March 2013, the juvenile and his female cousin left their Makokoba home for the city to sell eggs.
“At midday, they finished selling the eggs and the complainant’s cousin asked him if they could pass by Madlodlo Beer Garden and the complainant agreed. They met Nyathi and the complainant’s cousin asked the boy if he could accompany Nyathi to Vundu Flats. Upon arrival at the hostel, Nyathi forced the boy into the room and locked the door,” Dzipe said.
He said Nyathi then ordered the boy to remove his pair of trousers and underwear but the boy refused. Nyathi forcibly undressed the boy and sodomised him.
The boy reported the abuse to his cousin a few days later and the case was subsequently reported to the police leading to Nyathi’s arrest.
Online Reporter