Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Gibson Mhaka
STUDIES consistently show that a significant percentage of child sexual abuse cases involve perpetrators who are known to the victim, often within their immediate family or a close circle of trust.
This includes people such as fathers, stepfathers, uncles, brothers, grandfathers, and other relatives. These individuals hold positions of authority and trust within the child’s life, making it easier for them to exploit and abuse their vulnerability.
This pattern is tragically illustrated by a shocking incident involving a 42-year-old man from Tjinjika Village, Mayobodo area in Plumtree, Matabeleland South Province.
The man allegedly fell in love with his 15-year-old niece and had sex with her on several occasions before he was busted. He then decided to take her to his homestead where he locked her for three days in his bedroom and continued to have sexual intercourse with her.
This came to light when the man, whose name is being withheld to protect the victim, appeared before Plumtree magistrate Joshua Nembaware today facing two counts: having sexual intercourse with a minor and kidnapping. He pleaded guilty to both counts.
On count one of having sexual intercourse with a minor, he was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, of which six months imprisonment were suspended for a period of five years on condition that the accused does not, within that period, commit any offence of a sexual nature for which, upon conviction, he is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
On count two of kidnapping, he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, of which six months imprisonment is suspended for a period of five years on condition that the accused does not, within that period, commit any offence of which kidnapping is an element for which, upon conviction, he is sentenced to imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The total effective sentence is 24 months imprisonment.
The State case, as presented to the court by prosecutor Selestine Madziwa, was told that during July 2024, the accused proposed love to the complainant, but she did not give a straight answer regarding whether she was agreeing or refusing.
The accused started having sex with the complainant several times in her mother’s kitchen and in his bedroom, as well as in the bush.
The matter first came to light when the complainant’s mother caught them red-handed in the bush, squatting facing each other while the accused was carrying a bathing towel in his hands and talking in low voices.
The court further heard that on 24 December 2024, at around 12pm, the complainant’s mother found the complainant not at home and decided to go and relieve herself in the bush. While there, she heard people whispering in low voices.
She proceeded to the source of the voices and found the two together. The complainant’s mother was shocked and ran to call other villagers to come and witness what she had seen.
When she got to the scene, the complainant and the accused were nowhere to be seen. The complainant’s mother searched for her daughter to no avail.
After three days, the complainant’s mother found her daughter locked in the accused’s bedroom at the accused’s homestead. The complainant’s mother reported the matter to the police, leading to the accused’s arrest.
