By Ndumiso Tshuma
A 43-year-old man from Penhalonga under Chief Mutasa has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for raping his nine-year-old mentally challenged stepdaughter.
In a statement released by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe(NPA), the accused raped his stepdaughter sometime in 2023 with only the matter coming to light on 16 June 2023 when the complainant revealed the ordeal to her teacher.
“The state alleged that the accused person raped his nine-year-old stepdaughter sometime in 2023 when her mother and sister had gone to fetch water from a nearby borehole. The matter came to light on the 16th of June 2023 when the complainant revealed the ordeal to her teacher following a life skills orientation lesson on sexual abuse,” said the NPA.
The accused was found guilty by the Magistrates court and has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment.
Meanwhile, a 26-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for raping his seven-year-old stepdaughter.
The NPA stated that while watching a movie, the accused person raped the minor once before threatening to kill her if she told anyone about the incident.
“The state alleged that sometime in July 2023, the accused person ordered his stepdaughter to climb onto the bed where he was lying watching a movie on his mobile phone so they could watch together. While watching the movie, the accused person raped the minor once before threatening to kill her if she told anyone about the incident,” said NPA.
A police report was made after the minor divulged the details of her ordeal to her mother.
“The mother of the minor girl noticed that she was having difficulty walking. Upon enquiry, the girl divulged the details of her ordeal. A Police report was made, leading to the arrest of the accused person.”
The Bindura Magistrate Court sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment and three years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
