Everisto Zhuwao
A 41-year-old Chinhoyi man will serve an effective 30 months in prison following his conviction for having sexual relations with a 16-year-old girl.
The Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court handed down the sentence on Wednesday after the offender pleaded guilty to the charges.
The court heard that the man and the teenager were involved in a relationship.
They engaged in sexual intercourse on two separate occasions at a tobacco barn in December 2025 and March 2026.
The matter came to light after the victim discovered she was pregnant and revealed the details of the encounters.
A police report was subsequently filed, leading to the man’s immediate arrest and prosecution.
Although the magistrate initially handed down a 36-month jail term, six months were suspended on the condition of good behavior.
The National Prosecuting Authority highlighted that the conviction aligns with Section 70 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act.
Under Zimbabwean law, any person under the age of 18 cannot legally consent to sexual activity, making such acts a serious criminal offense regardless of the nature of the relationship.