Teen (14) to get two strokes for raping niece (4)

A teenage boy, 14, will receive two strokes of the cane after pleading guilty to raping his four-year-old niece while her mother was in another room.

Chitungwiza regional magistrate Ms Estere Chivasa said the boy did not qualify for a custodial sentence and ordered that he receives corporal punishment.

In addition, Ms Chivasa imposed a one-year prison term of imprisonment on the juvenile, which was suspended conditionally for five years.

In sentencing him, Ms Chivasa took into account that the girl would be traumatised for life and that the boy showed some contrition by pleading guilty.

Agreed facts were that on October 9 in 2011, and at around 12pm, the minor was playing outside the house while her mother was in her bedroom.

The boy called her into another room where he raped her.

The girl's mother discovered the offence when she saw some blood drops on the floor.

She asked her daughter what had happened and she revealed the offence.  This prompted her to report the matter to the police leading to the boy's arrest.

Mr Henry Muringani prosecuted.