FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO- Masvingo Magistrate Innocent Bepura has sentenced a 60-year-old Mwenezi man to an effective 17 years in prison for the rape of his 20-year-old stepdaughter.
The man appeared before the court facing charges of contravening Section 65(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 09:23.
Prosecutor Nixon Chamisa told the court that the incident occurred sometime in August 2025.
On the day in question, at approximately 1200 hours, the rapist instructed the complainant to accompany him to Chivi Growth Point under the guise of purchasing groceries.
While at the growth point, he purchased a Vigour Kambucha drink and gave it to the complainant.
It is heard that the drink caused the complainant to become intoxicated.
The duo later disembarked from a bus at the Matihwa bus stop around 1200hours to walk home.
However, as they passed Matihwa Primary School, he dragged the complainant into a nearby bush.
The state proved that the accused then forcibly removed the complainant’s clothing and proceeded to have unprotected sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
Following the assault, the two returned home and the complainant initially kept the matter a secret.
The day after the incident, the convict took the complainant to Mwenezi, claiming she required prophetic healing for mental health issues.
The matter only came to light on January 7 2026, when the complainant’s mother visited her daughter in Mwenezi.
During the visit, the complainant disclosed the ordeal to her mother.
A formal report was subsequently made at ZRP Chivi on January 19 2026 leading to a medical examination at Chivi District Hospital and the convict’s eventual arrest.
During the trial, the prosecution provided evidence from the investigating officer, and medical reports to bolster the state’s case.
Magistrate Bepura found him guilty as charged, citing the gross breach of trust involved in a stepfather attacking a vulnerable family member.
