A 22-year-old house maid from Dzivaresekwa, Harare, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the aggravated s*xual assault of an 8-year-old boy.
The conviction was handed down by Harare regional magistrate Mrs. Esthere Chivasa, following a full trial where the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court found the maid guilty on two counts of aggravated indecent assault. In her sentencing, Mrs. Chivasa emphasized the severity of the crime, noting that aggravated indecent assault is comparable to rape, particularly in cases involving young children. She stated that the nature of the offence and the vulnerability of the victim necessitated a substantial prison term.
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“The offence was committed under aggravated circumstances,” Mrs. Chivasa said. “Given the serious nature of the assault on a young child, it is imperative that the sentence reflect the gravity of the crime. A minimum of 15 years is appropriate to reflect the seriousness of the offence and to serve as a deterrent.”
The magistrate also ruled that community service would be insufficient given the gravity of the crime, stressing that such an option would undermine the justice process.
According to the court, the assault occurred in March when the boy, who was playing outside, was called into the maid’s bedroom and subjected to the assault. The case came to light in August when the boy’s family reported the incident.
The decision underscores the judicial system’s commitment to addressing and penalizing serious crimes against children, with the aim of providing justice and ensuring the safety of young victims.