Rapist uncle slapped with 68-year sentence

A 34-year-old man from Tata Village in Mberengwa District, Midlands Province, has been sentenced to 34 years in prison after being convicted of four counts of raping his 12-year-old niece.

The accused, whose name is withheld to protect the victim, was tried before Zvishavane regional magistrate Mr. Tayengwa Sangster. He initially received a total of 68 years - 17 years for each count - but the magistrate ordered counts one and two to run concurrently, as well as counts three and four, leaving him with 34 effective years behind bars.

Mr. Sangster said the sentence was meant to reflect the gravity of the crime and to deter potential offenders. "What the accused did warrants a long custodial sentence so as to deter would-be offenders," he stated.

Prosecutor Ms. Melissa Makombe told the court that the complainant, a Grade Seven pupil, was first raped in April last year while she was sleeping alone in a kitchen hut. The accused entered and assaulted her before leaving without saying anything.

The court heard that he went on to rape her on three more occasions, but the complainant did not immediately disclose the abuse. In May 2025, she missed her period and informed the accused, who told her she was pregnant and advised her to run away from home.

The girl later sought refuge with relatives at Macadam Mine, who noticed her pregnancy. After questioning her, she revealed that her uncle had raped her four times. The relatives reported the matter to the police, leading to his arrest.

In passing sentence, Mr. Sangster emphasized that the accused had betrayed the trust of his niece, who looked up to him for protection. He said the lengthy custodial sentence was necessary to safeguard children and send a strong message against sexual violence.