News / National
Man rapes niece (15), infects her with HIV
10 Nov 2012 at 17:01hrs | Views
A man from the Mphoengs area of Mangwe District was yesterday sentenced to 24 years in prison for raping his 15-year-old niece on two occasions and infecting her with HIV.
The man, aged 35, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, but was convicted by senior Western Division regional magistrate, Mr Owen Tagu. Six years of his sentence were conditionally suspended for five years.
The prosecutor, Mr Admire Chikwayi, told the court that sometime in January 2010, the girl was left in the custody of her uncle while their grandmother visited neighbouring Botswana. During the day, while she was washing some plates, the uncle came and asked for something to eat, but she told him that there was nothing.
Mr Chikwayi proved that the uncle lifted the minor and put her on a sleeping mat before raping her once and telling her not to report the incident to anyone. The State proved during the month of April last year, the two were left alone at home when the man took the girl into the house. He again raped her and told her not to tell anyone.
The offence came to light on 26 July this year, when she fell ill and the uncle went and informed her sister, who took her to Brunapeg Hospital, as she was complaining of a headache and stomach pains. After going back home her illness became worse and after the sister interviewed her, she lied that she had been gang-raped by three juveniles.
The matter was reported to the police and she was taken to hospital where she was examined and she tested positive to HIV. The sister did not take kindly to the results and she further interviewed the girl before she revealed that the uncle had sexually abused her and told her not to tell anyone. A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.
The man, aged 35, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape, but was convicted by senior Western Division regional magistrate, Mr Owen Tagu. Six years of his sentence were conditionally suspended for five years.
The prosecutor, Mr Admire Chikwayi, told the court that sometime in January 2010, the girl was left in the custody of her uncle while their grandmother visited neighbouring Botswana. During the day, while she was washing some plates, the uncle came and asked for something to eat, but she told him that there was nothing.
The offence came to light on 26 July this year, when she fell ill and the uncle went and informed her sister, who took her to Brunapeg Hospital, as she was complaining of a headache and stomach pains. After going back home her illness became worse and after the sister interviewed her, she lied that she had been gang-raped by three juveniles.
The matter was reported to the police and she was taken to hospital where she was examined and she tested positive to HIV. The sister did not take kindly to the results and she further interviewed the girl before she revealed that the uncle had sexually abused her and told her not to tell anyone. A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.
Source - TC
