News / Regional
Zimbabwe's oldest rapist jailed
01 May 2015 at 09:20hrs | Views
A 93-YEAR-OLD granddad from Gwanda yesterday became Zimbabwe's oldest rapist after he was jailed for two years for a sickening sex attack on his nine-year-old great granddaughter.
Ngazimbi Siziba, of Stanmore, Matabeleland South, had denied charges of raping the Grade 2 pupil, but asked for forgiveness once Gwanda regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza announced his verdict.
"It was a mistake," Siziba said, pleading for leniency. "May the court forgive me, I made a mistake."
Mabeza said he had grappled with the idea of imposing a custodial sentence to someone of Siziba's age.
"The court takes into account that you're a first offender in the twilight of your life. The age difference, however, aggravates the offence. Rape is an offence abhorred by society," the magistrate told Siziba.
"Your age presents challenges on what sentence is appropriate for a 93-year-old."
The magistrate sentenced Siziba to three years imprisonment, of which a year was conditionally suspended. Mabeza said he had also taken into consideration that Siziba had led a crime-free life before the commission of the rape.
Siziba's trial heard that he raped his nine-year-old great grandchild outside a relative's homestead sometime in January this year.
The girl had been sent to deliver a message at the homestead, not far from home, and she found Siziba, who was also a visitor there. He was alone sitting under a tree.
After exchanging greetings, Siziba stood up under the pretext that he wanted to collect something. When he got close to the victim, he grabbed her and forced her to lie down.
He undressed and raped her once.
The brave girl later revealed the abuse to her guardians and was taken to hospital for medical examination.
Although Siziba, who is a widower, had distanced himself from the crime during his trial, he admitted that he was at the same homestead alone with the girl when the sex attack was alleged to have taken place.
State witnesses called by the prosecution team led by Johannes Tlou told the court how Siziba once attempted to rape his 11-year-old grandchild, but she overpowered him and fled.
As he was led away to a prison vehicle, Siziba had difficulties walking due to old age.
Around him, other prisoners were handcuffed and some had leg irons, but Siziba was left to walk unhindered - prison authorities having decided he could not outrun them
Ngazimbi Siziba, of Stanmore, Matabeleland South, had denied charges of raping the Grade 2 pupil, but asked for forgiveness once Gwanda regional magistrate Joseph Mabeza announced his verdict.
"It was a mistake," Siziba said, pleading for leniency. "May the court forgive me, I made a mistake."
Mabeza said he had grappled with the idea of imposing a custodial sentence to someone of Siziba's age.
"The court takes into account that you're a first offender in the twilight of your life. The age difference, however, aggravates the offence. Rape is an offence abhorred by society," the magistrate told Siziba.
"Your age presents challenges on what sentence is appropriate for a 93-year-old."
The magistrate sentenced Siziba to three years imprisonment, of which a year was conditionally suspended. Mabeza said he had also taken into consideration that Siziba had led a crime-free life before the commission of the rape.
Siziba's trial heard that he raped his nine-year-old great grandchild outside a relative's homestead sometime in January this year.
The girl had been sent to deliver a message at the homestead, not far from home, and she found Siziba, who was also a visitor there. He was alone sitting under a tree.
After exchanging greetings, Siziba stood up under the pretext that he wanted to collect something. When he got close to the victim, he grabbed her and forced her to lie down.
He undressed and raped her once.
The brave girl later revealed the abuse to her guardians and was taken to hospital for medical examination.
Although Siziba, who is a widower, had distanced himself from the crime during his trial, he admitted that he was at the same homestead alone with the girl when the sex attack was alleged to have taken place.
State witnesses called by the prosecution team led by Johannes Tlou told the court how Siziba once attempted to rape his 11-year-old grandchild, but she overpowered him and fled.
As he was led away to a prison vehicle, Siziba had difficulties walking due to old age.
Around him, other prisoners were handcuffed and some had leg irons, but Siziba was left to walk unhindered - prison authorities having decided he could not outrun them
Source - chronicle
