Grandpa (83) rapes granddaughter (9)

An 83-year-old Mhondoro man was last week sent to jail for two years after raping his nine-year-old granddaughter, three years ago.

The man pleaded not guilty to rape charges, but was convicted after a full trial.

The magistrate, Ms Sandra Mpindu, sentenced the man to three years before suspending one year on condition that he does not commit a sexual offence in the next five years.

In passing sentence Ms Mpindu said the man's age was advanced and his health was not likely to be good.

"He would suffer more from imprisonment than a young person.

"However, he committed a serious offence, an offence which trashes womanhood.

"He exposed his granddaughter to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, his moral blameworthiness is very high and a heavy penalty will meet justice of this case," she said.

In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Ressie Nyamombe told the court that the man was supposed to play a protective role to the minor.

"Rape is a violent offence that calls for stiffer sentence and he cannot escape a custodial term," she said.

Ms Nyamombe told the court that on March 3, 2011 around 2pm the minor returned home from school and found his grandfather alone at home.

The grandfather then called the minor into his bedroom to assist him carry a rope.

When the minor entered the bedroom, her grandfather then lifted her up and laid her on his bed before raping her.

After the offence the grandfather threatened to chase the minor away from home together with her grandmother if she revealed the sexual assault.

The minor confided in a neighbour what had happened to her and the matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the grandfather.