Teen girl sold as sex slave for US$40

A 30-year-old woman from Buhera has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after trafficking a girl (14) to Mutare and selling her to a truck driver for US$40.

Pelagia Zindiye lured the teenager on June 29, claiming they were travelling to Mutare to collect property.

The following day, the girl secretly left home and accompanied Zindiye to the city.

Upon arrival, Zindiye handed over the minor to truck driver Steward Gororo, who took her to a restaurant, locked her in a private room and raped her.

After the assault, Zindiye instructed the frightened girl not to tell anyone about the incident.

A tip-off led to Zindiye's arrest.

Gororo is still at large.

The Mutare regional court found Zindiye guilty of human trafficking and sentenced her to a decade behind bars.

Police are appealing to anyone with information on Gororo's whereabouts to come forward.