News / Regional
Rapist cries like a baby in court
22 Dec 2013 at 04:30hrs | Views
A 24-year-old Hwange man had to be dragged by prison guards while crying like a baby after he was sentenced to an effective nine years in prison for indecently assaulting and raping his 14-year-old niece.
Nhlalo Maphosa (24) of Tshelise Maphosa's homestead, Village 1 Jambezi, appeared before the regional magistrate for Western Division Mr Sikhumbuzo Nyathi at Hwange Court for contravening Sections 67(1) and 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
For the State, Mr Sifelumusa Fuzane told the court that on an unknown date but in the month of August last year, the complainant visited the accused's homestead and shared a bed with the accused, her aunt and their nine-month-old baby.
During the night the accused is alleged to have inserted his hands into the complainant's private parts thereby prompting her to wake up.
The following morning the complainant told her maternal grandmother what had transpired during the night and the accused got wind of the issue and threatened her.
The court heard that on 20 February the complainant left home to have her skirt sewn and while she was passing by the tuckshop the accused called her.
Maphosa is said to have delayed the girl until 9pm. He is reported to have followed the complainant and grabbed her from behind before dragging her to a secluded place.
Maphosa then raped the minor. The matter was again reported to the grandmother who told the girl's aunt. The court heard that two days after the incident the accused's wife called the complainant to the tuckshop and assaulted her for sleeping with her husband.
However, during the scuffle patrons at a nearby bar caught wind of what had happened and alerted the police leading to the arrest of the accused.
In his defence, the accused said the complainant was the one who chose to sleep on the bed with them. He was, however, found guilty, convicted and sentenced to a year in prison for the first count and 12 years for the second count of which four years were suspended for five years.
After being sentenced, Maphosa is said to have wailed like a baby pleading with the magistrate to be lenient with him. He had to be dragged by prison guards into holding cells.
Nhlalo Maphosa (24) of Tshelise Maphosa's homestead, Village 1 Jambezi, appeared before the regional magistrate for Western Division Mr Sikhumbuzo Nyathi at Hwange Court for contravening Sections 67(1) and 65 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23.
For the State, Mr Sifelumusa Fuzane told the court that on an unknown date but in the month of August last year, the complainant visited the accused's homestead and shared a bed with the accused, her aunt and their nine-month-old baby.
During the night the accused is alleged to have inserted his hands into the complainant's private parts thereby prompting her to wake up.
The following morning the complainant told her maternal grandmother what had transpired during the night and the accused got wind of the issue and threatened her.
The court heard that on 20 February the complainant left home to have her skirt sewn and while she was passing by the tuckshop the accused called her.
Maphosa is said to have delayed the girl until 9pm. He is reported to have followed the complainant and grabbed her from behind before dragging her to a secluded place.
Maphosa then raped the minor. The matter was again reported to the grandmother who told the girl's aunt. The court heard that two days after the incident the accused's wife called the complainant to the tuckshop and assaulted her for sleeping with her husband.
However, during the scuffle patrons at a nearby bar caught wind of what had happened and alerted the police leading to the arrest of the accused.
In his defence, the accused said the complainant was the one who chose to sleep on the bed with them. He was, however, found guilty, convicted and sentenced to a year in prison for the first count and 12 years for the second count of which four years were suspended for five years.
After being sentenced, Maphosa is said to have wailed like a baby pleading with the magistrate to be lenient with him. He had to be dragged by prison guards into holding cells.
Source - Sunday News
