Man appeals against 12-year rape sentence, offers 4 cows

A KEZI man who was convicted of rape stunned the court when he pleaded with the magistrate to waive a custodial sentence saying he would give the victim four beasts as compensation.

Nkosana Mathema (29) of Empondweni in Kezi was, however, sentenced to an effective 12 years in prison by Gwanda regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza for raping a 34-year-old woman.

"Your worship, I have four beasts and I urge you not to send me to prison. I am ready to compensate her with all my cattle," Mathema said.
 
But the magistrate would have none of it.

"How would you feel if it had been your sister or child who had been raped?" quipped the magistrate.

Prosecutor Johannes Tlou said allegations against Mathema, who was also facing assault and theft charges, were that on October 18 at around 10pm, he went to the complainant's hut where she was sleeping with her three children and knocked on the door.

The complainant refused to open the door, but Mathema, who was armed with an axe, pushed open the door as it was unlocked. He threatened to kill her if she screamed. He then put on a condom and raped the complainant twice before leaving the following morning. He also left the condoms behind.

The complainant reported the matter to the police, leading to Mathema's arrest.

Mathema was further slapped with one month for assault and another month for stealing a cellphone. Both sentences will run concurrently.