In a disturbing incident that has sent shock waves across Chipinge, a 51 year old man was taken into custody recently on two counts of indecent assault and a single count of rape.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe, the accused person went to the victims’ place of residence, where he was employed as a cattle herder.
He invited the two victims, one of whom was 12 and the other 13 years old, to his homestead so they could gather water melons and corn cobs.
Whilst at the accused’s house, he asked the victims to go into his bedroom, whereupon he removed his clothes and displayed his manhood, after which he allegedly started to caressed their breasts.
The 12-year-old victim was invited by the accused to his homestead on the 23rd of March 2024, along with her 3-year-old cousin. Before engaging in sexual assault, the accused asked the victim to enter his bedroom, where he caressed her breasts before raping her.
When the victim’s aunt discovered her in the accused person’s bedroom, the situation became apparent. Following an interrogation by the aunt, during which the victim confided in her, the accused person was taken into custody.
His sentences for the first and second counts were 12 months in prison each. For the third count, he was given an additional 20 years in prison. Three years suspended.
The accused person will serve 20 years effective.
