FAITH NDOU
MASVINGO-Claudious Taruvinga (57) from Muzheri Village under Chief Murinye has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for repeatedly raping his 16-year-old granddaughter.
Masvingo Magistrate Archie Wochiunga presided over the case while she State was represented by Precious Takuva.
The court heard that the offences occurred between April and July 2025 at the accused’s homestead.
On one occasion, Taruvinga allegedly called the complainant to his bedroom through his seven-year-old grandson. After instructing her to pack some clothes into a bag, he demanded to have sexual intercourse with her.
When the teenager refused and attempted to leave the room, the accused grabbed her, dragged her by his jersey, covered her mouth and raped her.
The court heard that the complainant initially disclosed the abuse to the accused’s daughter-in-law and later to his wife. However, no action was taken, allowing the abuse to continue for several months.
Unable to endure the abuse any longer, the complainant left home in January 2026 and went to stay with her aunt at Nemamwa Growth Point. She later revealed the ordeal to her aunt, who took her to Morgenster Hospital for counselling and medical attention.
The matter was subsequently reported to ZRP Muchakata, leading to investigations and the arrest of the accused.
After hearing evidence from both the State and defence, Magistrate Wochiunga found Taruvinga guilty of rape and sentenced him to 15 years.
In passing sentence, the court took into account the seriousness of the offence, the age of the victim and the fact that the accused had abused a position of trust as the complainant’s grandfather.
