Rapist claims he was castrated

A JOTSHOLO man, who was facing charges of raping a seven-year-old girl, claimed he was castrated and, therefore, unable to commit the offence.

But the magistrate convicted and slapped him with a 12-year jail sentence. Two years of the sentence were suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour.

Abel Moyo (27) denied the rape charge, when he appeared before Hwange regional magistrate, Dambudzo Malunga yesterday.

In his defence, he told the court he was an "impotent ox" and unable to have sex.

He questioned how he is alleged to have raped the minor.

Moyo demanded that he be escorted by the prison officers to a private room for an examination of his private parts.
The court had to intervene, as he was harassing the officers. Moyo went on to threaten the court.

"If I am found guilty of an offence I did not commit, when I come out I will take measures against this court," he said, while standing in the dock huffing and puffing.

Prosecutor, Bheki Tshabalala told the court that on July 22 this year at 2pm, the minor and her schoolmate were going home from school when Moyo approached them.

He grabbed the girl and dragged her into a nearby bush, where he raped her once before releasing her.

The girl then told her parents about her ordeal.

The matter was reported to the police, leading to Moyo's arrest.