A 45-year-old resident of Hopley has been handed a 15-year prison sentence after being found guilty of the aggravated indecent assault of his friend, who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.
Samuel Chipakacha’s conviction followed a complete trial presided over by Harare regional magistrate Jesse Kufa.
Magistrate Kufa, in her judgment, strongly denounced Chipakacha’s conduct, characterizing it as a betrayal of confidence and a grave affront to human dignity.
The court was presented with evidence indicating that the incident occurred on the afternoon of February 23rd of the current year. Both Chipakacha and the 60-year-old victim had been drinking beer at a local establishment known as Uncle Grey shebeen.
State prosecutor Shambadzeni Fungura argued successfully that Chipakacha exploited his friend’s inebriated condition to perpetrate the crime.
The prosecution’s case detailed how the complainant, a neighbour of Chipakacha, became heavily intoxicated at the shebeen and subsequently decided to return home. Chipakacha allegedly followed him to his residence and discovered him lying on his bed.
Testimony presented to the court revealed that Chipakacha then proceeded to remove the complainant’s clothing and commit the act of sodomy.
Crucially, the assault was witnessed by the complainant’s neighbour, who entered the house unexpectedly and found Chipakacha in the act.
Later that evening, the neighbour informed the victim of what had occurred, prompting him to immediately report the incident to the police.
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