Ivayinerudo Magarazano
Chiredzi-Laurence Chikore (32) a resident of Takura village under Chief Shindi in Chivi was sentenced to 3 years in prison for having sexual intercourse with a minor aged 14 years.
Chikore escaped the rape charges when he appeared before Magistrate Judith Zuyu after a full trial.
Magistrate Zuyu convicted him for having sex with a minor as the complainant failed to satisfy the courts that she was forced to have sex.
Chikore will serve 18 months effective in prison after the presiding magistrate suspended remaining 18 months for good behavior.
It was the state case that on 11 May 2024, the girl ( name withheld) took her shoes to Chikore for repair at Banga irrigation scheme, where he charged her a $1 for the service.
The following day at around 2pm the minor returned to collect her shoes and Chikore dragged her to a secluded spot between parked tractors, threatened her with a machete and catapult before demanding sex.
He then forcibly removed her pants and had unprotected sexual intercourse with her once.
After the ordeal the girl refused to go home, fearing her guardian’s reaction and Chikore took her to his brother’s place for the night.
The girl’s uncle, searched for her and found her at Chikore’s workplace and took her home.
The court heard that the girl confided in her grandmother about the rape leading to Chikore’s arrest.
Ronald Kwangwari represented the state.
