MARTIN MAWAYA
A 67-year-old man from Gonamombe village under headman Manhovo in Chirumanzu has been sentenced to an effective 20-year jail term for raping his 11-year-old daughter.
The man, whose name has been withheld to conceal the identity of the minor, took advantage of his wife’s absence and raped his daughter while she slept in a thatched hut.
He was convicted after a full trial.
Initially charged with two counts of rape, the man was acquitted on the first count due to lack of evidence.
During the trial, he denied the charges, claiming they were fabricated by family members.
According to the state’s case, the man lured his two daughters into his blankets, claiming to protect them.
He then sexually assaulted one of the daughters before threatening to kill her if she revealed the incident.
The rape came to light on February 20, 2025, when the accused’s wife noticed her daughter limping and enquired about the incident.
The court heard that the juvenile revealed the assault, leading to his father’s arrest.
A medical examination confirmed that the child had been sexually abused.
Regional Magistrate Christopher Maturure handed down the 20-year sentence.
