Teen to be caned for raping cousin, 11

A 15-year-old boy from Zvishavane will receive four strokes with a rattan cane after he was found guilty of raping his 11-year-old mentally retarded cousin on three occasions.

The boy (name withheld) of Msipani village under Chief Masunda in Zvishavane had pleaded guilty to rape when he appeared before Gweru regional magistrate, Morgan Nemadire.

He was convicted and sentenced to a wholly suspended five years in prison. Three years were suspended on condition of good behaviour while the other two were suspended on condition that he receives four strokes with a rattan cane.

The state's case was that the boy raped his cousin, who has a mild mental retardation, three times during the period extending from January 1 to April 30 last year. The two were staying at the same homestead.

Sometime in January last year on a date unknown to the prosecutor, the boy seized an opportunity when he found the girl alone at home going about her household chores.

The court heard that the boy secured the door with a chain from inside and then raped the girl once before threatening her with unspecified action if she reported the matter.

On another occasion, the boy found the girl alone in her bedroom and raped her again.

The boy used the same method to rape the girl for the third time when the two met at a nearby bush while the girl was coming from the fields.

The girl later reported the rape to her teacher leading to the arrest of the boy.

Kudzai Mutezo appeared for the state.