A 37-year-old man from Seke Village who raped his friend’s wife twice without protection has been sentenced to an effective 18 years in jail.
Travolta Gijimani was convicted on two counts of rape after a full trial by Chitungwiza regional magistrate Clever Tsikwa.
Gijimani was sentenced to 10 years in prison for each charge but two years were suspended on condition of good behaviour.
The two sentences will run consecutively, that is one after another, rather than concurrently which means at the same time.
Allegations were that in September this year, Gijimani and his wife visited the complainant’s house and asked her to take care of their children since they were travelling to their rural home.
She agreed and went to their house to be with the children.
It was further alleged that Gijimani returned on another day at around 7:30 AM when his children had gone to school.
He found the complainant, who is aged 24, sleeping in the spare bedroom.
She said she saw Gijimani entering the room holding a kitchen knife demanding sex from her, but she refused.
Gijimani allegedly raped the complainant and threatened to kill her with a knife if she ever disclosed the matter to anyone.
The accused then returned to his rural home where he had left his wife.
On the second count, in October, the complainant’s husband sent Gijimani US$25 to give to his wife, who is the complainant.
After handing over the money to his friend’s wife, Gijimani raped her again, without protection.
A report was later made leading to Gijimani’s arrest.
