Teen to receive 3 strokes for raping niece (9)

A Chitungwiza teenager will receive three strokes of caning for raping his nine-year-old niece.

The 14-year-old boy denied a rape charge when he appeared before Chitungwiza regional magistrate Ms Estere Chivasa last week.
He was, however, convicted after prosecutor Mr Luke Mutupe proved a case against him.

Ms Chivasa ordered the boy to receive corporal punishment of three strokes that should be administered by health personnel at Harare Central Prison.

In addition, the boy had a wholly suspended three-year jail term on condition of good behaviour.

Mr Luke Mutupe proved that from the period extending from January 5 to February 7 last year, the minor was staying with her grandmother in Seke communal lands.

During the course of her stay, the boy would wait for the old woman either to go out of the house or visit her garden and approach the girl.

He would then rape her, but was later caught red-handed by the girl's brother being intimate with her.

When the girl's mother visited the rural area on February 7, she noticed her daughter was coughing and could hardly walk.

She asked her what had happened and the minor revealed everything leading to the boy's arrest.