78 year old man jailed six years for rape

REGIONAL magistrate Morgan Nemadire yesterday sentenced the 78-year-old Shurugwi man who raped his septuagenarian sister-in-law to an effective six years in prison.

In passing the sentence, Nemadire considered the age of the man, Mangora Chitsika of Musara Village under Chief Nhema's area. It was also felt there was no need to suspend part of the sentence because there was little chance that Chitsika could come out of prison and commit a similar offence owing to his advanced age.

Prosecuting, Emmanuel Mathose said on April 17 at around 10PM, the accused proceeded to the complainant's homestead where upon arrival he opened the door of the complainant's bedroom. He said the woman was asleep.

Mathose said Chitsika got into the blankets causing the 78-year complainant to wake up.

He said Chitsika covered her mouth using his hand to stop her from screaming.

The court heard that the accused then pushed up the complainant's night dress and raped her once.

Mathose said Chitsika told her he had raped her to fix her for exchanging the cattle which had been inherited from their late aunt, that is, the accused's sister.

The accused then went away after the attack. On the following morning, the victim narrated the incident to her grandson who then made a report to the police in Shurugwi resulting in the accused's arrest.

Mathose said the complainant was taken to Shurugwi District Hospital for a medical examination on April 23. The medical examination proved that the complainant had been raped.