Stepdaughter rapist jailed 15 years

A man (54) has been sentenced to 15 years in jail for raping his step-daughter (14) twice when her mother, who later concealed the crime, had gone to church. The rapist whose identity has been withdrawn to protect the identity of the minor, lived in Mandizvidza Village under Chief Nhema in Shurugwi.

He appeared before Gweru Regional Magistrate Mr Morgan Nemadire facing one count of rape and pleaded not guilty.

Mr Nemadire found him guilty and jailed him. The man will however serve 12 years in jail after Mr Nemadire suspended three years of the sentence on condition of good behaviour.

Prosecutor, Mr Kelvin Guvheya said in December 2014, the girl was left in the custody of her stepfather as her mother went to church at Poshai business centre.

"The accused person entered into the bedroom where the complainant was seated and without saying anything, he pushed the complainant down and raped her once," he said.

Mr Guvheya said after the complainant's mother came back home, she found her daughter crying but she did not open up on the abuse.

After four days, the court heard that the girl finally told her mother that she had been raped.

"The mother quickly dismissed her saying that she was being clever for nothing and no old man could do such a thing," said Mr Guvheya.

Two weeks later, the complainant was again left in the custody of her stepfather who raped her for the second time after calling her into his bedroom.

"The offence came to light when the complainant visited her biological father and revealed the matter to a neighbour who took her to the police where a report was made leading to the arrest of the stepfather," said Mr Guvheya.