Zimbabwe News Online: Shurugwi man rapes aunt at knife-point

Shurugwi man rapes aunt at knife-point
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The chronicle on 21 January, 2010 09:59:00
 
The accused of Chief Ndanga village in Shurugwi and is unemployed was on Friday
brought before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mr Joseph Mabeza and was convicted of
rape.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with labour of which three years were
suspended on condition of good behaviour. The man is a nephew to the
complainant.
Presenting the State’s case, Mr Shepherd Mafa said that on 31 December, at
around 6 pm, the man, who was residing at the same place with the complainant,
went home in the company of his friend.
The court heard that he asked for food and the complainant gave him the food
which he ate with his friend. The friend later left the accused’s place and
went to his home.
Mr Mafa said at around 8 pm, the complainant left the kitchen hut intending to
go to her bedroom, but before she could enter her bedroom, the accused grabbed
and dragged her to the kitchen hut.
He said two women, namely Ms Violet Mhuri and Bridget Jaricha, heard the
complainant crying and went to the hut to investigate. Mr Mafa said the two
women saw the accused person dragging the complainant to the kitchen hut.
He said Ms Mhuri and Ms Jaricha quickly went to one Mr Godfrey Mupedzisi, a
member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee and made a report to him of what
they had seen.
Meanwhile, the accused continued to rape the complainant. When they got into the
kitchen hut, he tripped the complainant and undressed her before raping her
once.
The court heard that the accused threatened the complainant with a knife if ever
she revealed the crime to anyone. Mr Mafa said when Mr Mupedzisi received the
report from the two women he immediately went to Donga Police and reported to
the police what Ms Mhuri and Ms Jaricha had told him.
He was then accompanied by a police officer and the two went to the accused’s
homestead to investigate, the court heard.
Mr Mafa said the police officer and Mr Mupedzisi opened the kitchen hut door and
saw the complainant standing inside the kitchen crying while the accused was
fast asleep on the floor naked and he was immediately arrested.