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$350 rapist locked up for 15 years

by Thandeka Moyo
10 Aug 2016 at 08:00hrs | Views
A TSHOLOTSHO rapist who claimed he was in a relationship with his victim has been sentenced to 15 years in jail.

Admit Mbiriviri appeared before regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira and claimed that the rape allegations were preferred against him after he failed to pay the woman's mother $350 in damages for sleeping with her daughter.

Mbiriviri and the woman were employed as domestic workers by the same employer in Tsholotsho.

He claimed that he was in love with the woman, and there were negotiations for damages when it was discovered that they had sex, with a report only being made to the police after he failed to pay the money that was demanded.

Mbiriviri raped the domestic worker on June 16 this year and gave her Dettol antiseptic to wash her body afterwards.

Mr Dzipe said the State has managed to prove its case beyond any reasonable doubt.

"You're therefore sentenced to 15 years in jail of which four years are suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour," said Mr Dzira.

The woman told the court that she informed her mother of the matter and was shocked when she heard that Mbiriviri's family wanted some negotiations.

In defence, Mbiriviri, through his lawyer Mr Tafadzwa Chipare from Sengweni and Partners, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Mbiriviri's lawyer alleged that the woman's mother received money for transport from the accused and made the rape report when she did not have her way.

Prosecuting, Mr Tinashe Dzipe said on June 16 at around 1AM at a homestead where both Mbiriviri and his victim were employed, Mbiriviri asked the woman to hold a torch while he entered a hut to get some shoes.

"He took the shoes and then asked the woman to join him in his bedroom as he had bought a new bed," said Mr Dzipe.

"He held her hand and when the woman refused, Mbiriviri then forced his way into her room. He pushed her down, raped her once and took Dettol and used it to wipe himself. He also took the same Dettol and gave the woman asking her to wash herself. The woman notified her neighbour the following day and a police report was made leading to Mbiriviri's arrest."

Source - Chronicle
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