A 25-year-old herdboy from Tshinvhazwimi, Beitbridge, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping a 15-year-old girl.
Mickson Ncube was convicted of rape after a trial at the Beitbridge Regional Court, despite pleading not guilty. The incident occurred on New Year’s Eve while the victim was left in Ncube’s care.
The court heard that the victim’s mother had left her children in Ncube’s custody while she went to Beitbridge town. Returning later than expected, the mother was not present when the crime took place.
During the night, Ncube woke the girl and, threatening her with a kitchen knife, took her outside. Despite her cries for help, which alerted her younger brother, Ncube also threatened him with the knife.
He then dragged the complainant to the bush and raped her. Upon returning home, the victim immediately informed her mother by phone, and a police report was filed, leading to Ncube’s swift arrest.
Initially sentenced to 18 years, three years were conditionally suspended, resulting in an effective 15-year sentence.
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