The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Correspondent
A ZIMUNYA man (25) who gave his rape victim 30 bond notes in an effort to buy her silence has been slapped with a 20-year-jail term.
Ashely Bvirindi of Dora Dombo under Chief Zimunya’s area had denied the rape charge that he was facing when he appeared before Mutare regional magistrate, Mrs Tilda Mazhande last week.
He, however, was convicted after a full trial.
Ms Perseverance Musukuto prosecuted.
Bvirindi was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment, of which three years were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.
He will serve an effective 17-year jail term.
Ms Musukuto said on August 31, 2021, the minor’s mother left her at their homestead together with other children.
Bvirindi then approached her and lied that she was being called by her father just outside the homestead.
The minor proceeded to the area where she had been told by Bvirindi, but did not find her father. S
he quizzed Bvirindi about why he had lied to her.
Bvirindi, however, grabbed the minor by the hand and dragged her to a secluded place.
He threatened the minor with death before raping her.
After raping her, he instructed her to put on her clothes and proceed home to take a bath.
“He handed her $30 and further told her that if she told anyone about the incident, her father would cut off her head with a knife for being promiscuous.
“When the child arrived home, she told her mother what had happened. She also produced the $30 that she had been given by Bvirindi to conceal the rape,” said Ms Musukuto.
The minor’s mother advised the child’s school teacher who accompanied her to make a police report.
The girl was referred to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital where she was examined.
The evidence that she had been raped was produced during trial.
In sentencing Bvirindi, Mrs Mazhande said Bvirindi deserved incarceration as he had committed a heinous crime.
She said as an adult, Bvirindi should have been a protector and not a predator.
