News / Local
Women jailed for getting bribes to conceal rape
14 May 2014 at 07:34hrs | Views
TWO Bulawayo women who concealed their minor cousin's rape in exchange for bribes from the alleged rapist will languish in prison for the next nine months for obstructing the course of justice.
The two, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, were yesterday sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Three months were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
They had earlier pleaded guilty to obstructing the course of justice after they failed to report the crime in exchange for $100 monthly payments from Patrick Phiri, 61 the man accused of abusing the girl.
Phiri committed suicide last week on Wednesday when he learned that the police had launched an investigation into the matter.
Passing sentence, magistrate Temba Chimiso said the two had a duty to protect the child but acted out of greed and allowed the abuse to continue.
"The victim expected the accused to protect and not to exploit her by accepting money from the offender.
"I find a deterrent sentence appropriate as it would discourage the abuse of the girl-child," he said.
The magistrate said the court was lenient to them as they were both first time offenders who did not waste the court's time by pleading guilty.
In mitigation, the pair claimed that they were not gainfully employed and regarded the payments as income.
Representing the State, Whatmore Tembo said Phiri had been abusing his niece since 2009 when she was 11 years old resulting in her falling pregnant in 2012.
After the complainant gave birth, one of the jailed women took her baby away and claimed that the child later died and was incinerated.
Phiri allegedly paid them not to disclose the rape.
The two, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, were yesterday sentenced to 12 months in prison.
Three months were suspended on condition that they do not commit a similar offence in the next five years.
They had earlier pleaded guilty to obstructing the course of justice after they failed to report the crime in exchange for $100 monthly payments from Patrick Phiri, 61 the man accused of abusing the girl.
Phiri committed suicide last week on Wednesday when he learned that the police had launched an investigation into the matter.
Passing sentence, magistrate Temba Chimiso said the two had a duty to protect the child but acted out of greed and allowed the abuse to continue.
"The victim expected the accused to protect and not to exploit her by accepting money from the offender.
"I find a deterrent sentence appropriate as it would discourage the abuse of the girl-child," he said.
The magistrate said the court was lenient to them as they were both first time offenders who did not waste the court's time by pleading guilty.
In mitigation, the pair claimed that they were not gainfully employed and regarded the payments as income.
Representing the State, Whatmore Tembo said Phiri had been abusing his niece since 2009 when she was 11 years old resulting in her falling pregnant in 2012.
After the complainant gave birth, one of the jailed women took her baby away and claimed that the child later died and was incinerated.
Phiri allegedly paid them not to disclose the rape.
Source - chronicle
