Man (61) jailed 15 years for rape

Yeukai Karengezeka

Court Correspondent

A 61-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for raping a 10-year-old girl.

Shame Chachengwa was sentenced by Harare magistrate Mrs Sandra Chipindu who suspended three years on condition of good behaviour, leaving him to serve an effective 15 years.

The presiding magistrate condemned the accused’s actions, saying there was breach of trust and the victim would suffer long-term trauma following the incident.

The State, represented by prosecutor Mr Zvikomborero Mupasa, proved that the incident occurred on November 17 at a church where the complainant resided.

The assailant had gone there to cut down trees on the premises.

While Chachengwa was working, the victim started playing nearby.

The court heard that he lured the girl by buying her ice cream from the street.

After giving her the ice cream, he unbuckled his belt and exposed himself to the minor.

The girl, sensing danger, told him she was not interested and ran away.

Later, as the victim returned to retrieve her belongings, Chachengwa seized the opportunity to                                                                 attack her.