The ManicaPost
Dione Nyamanhindi Rusape Correspondent
A 46-YEAR-OLD Rusape man who raped and impregnated his 14-year-old step-daughter has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for the offence.
The man, who is a polygamist with two wives, will however serve 18 years behind bars after Rusape regional magistrate Mrs Lucy Mangwari suspended two years on condition of good behaviour.
The pregnancy was successfully terminated.
The accused was not represented and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He told the court that the victim was once raped in Chinhoyi.
Ms Event Dhliwayo prosecuted.
She told the court that this was a sad story since the young girl had been raped before, and the recent act by the step-father acted as a painful reminder of what she had endured before.
“Sometime in August 2018, and at around 2100 hours, the complainant was left in custody of the accused person in Headlands while her pregnant mother went for maternity check-up at Headlands clinic.
“The accused proceeded to the kitchen hut where the complainant was sleeping with her two siblings, and raped her once. Initially the complainant had resisted his sexual advances, threatening to report the accused to their neighbours.
“The accused raped her and threatened to kill her with a knife if she spilled the beans. The accused person continued abusing the complaint five more times using the same method and threats.
“The matter came to light when complainant’s mother interviewed her after noticing that she was pregnant, and she revealed that she had been sexually abused by the accused person.
“After sexually abusing the girl, the step-father would put $4 underneath the pillow and advise the victim to use the money. He would also promise her some Christmas clothes,” said Ms Dhliwayo.
